Jon Moxley in Bloodsport: Josh Barnett confirms plans for dream fight with AEW star

Josh Barnett is on a Bloodsport collision course with Jon Moxley.

During last night’s show, it was revealed the AEW star will be competing on February 20 against British Bulldog’s son Davey Boy Smith Jr, but MMA legend Barnett has confirmed there are more huge plans in the pipeline.

Speaking exclusively to Metro.co.uk, he said: ‘We are moving towards this confrontation. This is a home for Moxley. He’s able to get into this ring with just absolute reckless abandon.

I feel like this is maybe a different take for some people on Moxley, but also an evolution for who he is as a wrestler. You’ll see what you’re used to be you’ll see it in the most pure, most raw way.

‘He’s been up to the challenge from day one. For us, fantastic! For me, maybe you can call it a bit of a scouting report.’

The fighter turned pro wrestler – who has appeared for the likes of UFC, New Japan Pro Wrestling, IMPACT Wrestling and Bellator – has a wealth of experience in combat sport.

However, he is still wary of facing former world champion Moxley, who is set to improve each and every time he steps on a Bloodsport mat.

He added: ‘I don’t think that the longer this has been stretched out, the easier it’s gonna get for me.

‘I think it’s gonna be tougher because I only see Moxley getting better every single time here on the mats at Bloodsport. This is just culminating to an ever greater challenge.’

Barnett confirmed he wouldn’t be fighting on either of this month’s cards, but he told us he is determined to be involved in the future.

‘I don’t intend to make my absence from Bloodsport a permanent thing in any way,’ he said, while noting he is more than confident in the roster he has available to him.

‘We really have enough talent to let these things blossom on their own. These athletes absolutely will shine.

‘But, some of it’s been like, I had a bareknuckle fight three weeks after the last Bloodsport. For this one, it’s just a matter for the schedule, logistics, and I’m putting this whole thing together.

‘Needing a bit more time to get ready, but it was not for any lack of want. There was a lot of necessity in this case.’

So, we’ll have to wait to see Barnett and Moxley clash in Bloodsport – but the latter will have his work cut out for him against Davey Boy Smith Jr. next weekend.

Josh warned: ‘It will definitely not be a cakewalk.’

* Pay-per-view tickets and merch for BLOODSPORT 5 are available now. Visit the official BLOODSPORT website for more information on how to tune in on February 20.

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