Chris Barnett signs with PowerSlap after UFC release
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 26, 2026, 7:20 PM
Last updated Aug 26, 2026
Chris Barnett has officially joined PowerSlap, becoming the first male UFC fighter to cross over to the slapping competition. The announcement was made via Instagram on August 26. Barnett, 40, has not fought since his UFC exit in 2025, where he recorded a 2-4 record during his tenure. The details of his debut in PowerSlap are currently unknown.
- •Barnett signed a deal with PowerSlap on August 26.
- •He is the first male UFC fighter to join the promotion.
- •Barnett's last UFC fight was in 2025.
- •He has a career record of 21-6 in regional circuits.
- •No information about his PowerSlap debut has been announced.
- 9:00 PMYahoo Sports — Former UFC heavyweight signs with Power Slap
- 9:00 PMMMA Fighting — Former UFC heavyweight Chris Barnett signs with Power Slap
- 7:20 PMYahoo Sports — Ex-UFC heavyweight signs with PowerSlap
"Chris Barnett is headed to the Power Slap podium. The promotion announced Wednesday that Barnett has signed on to compete, with an opponent and date still to be determined. See the official announcement below. View this post on Instagram Barnett (23-10 in MMA) is a longtime combat sports veteran, having competed as a heavyweight in MMA since 2009. Following a 2-4 run in the UFC that included a Performance of the Night-winning knockout over Gian Villante, Barnett parted ways with the promotion in 2025 after consecutive losses to Hamdy Abdelwahab and Kennedy Nzechukwu. Since then, “Beastboy” found his way back into the win column with a 61-second knockout over Johnathan Miller in a Karate Combat bout this past December. The 40-year-old Barnett is no stranger to competing under different rulesets, having also logged appearances in boxing, kickboxing, bare-knuckle boxing, and he even met former UFC star Yoel Romero in a submission grappling matchup back in 2019, when Romero made Barnett tap out to a kimura.
"Ex-UFC heavyweight Chris Barnett is taking his talents to PowerSlap.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 26, 2026, 9:00 PMFormer UFC heavyweight signs with Power Slap
Chris Barnett joins Power Slap
- MMA FightingAug 26, 2026, 9:00 PMFormer UFC heavyweight Chris Barnett signs with Power Slap
Chris Barnett is headed to the Power Slap podium. The promotion announced Wednesday that Barnett has signed on to compete, with an opponent and date still to be determined. See the official announcement below. View this post on Instagram Barnett (23-10 in MMA) is a longtime combat sports veteran, having competed as a heavyweight in MMA since 2009. Following a 2-4 run in the UFC that included a Performance of the Night-winning knockout over Gian Villante, Barnett parted ways with the promotion in 2025 after consecutive losses to Hamdy Abdelwahab and Kennedy Nzechukwu. Since then, “Beastboy” found his way back into the win column with a 61-second knockout over Johnathan Miller in a Karate Combat bout this past December. The 40-year-old Barnett is no stranger to competing under different rulesets, having also logged appearances in boxing, kickboxing, bare-knuckle boxing, and he even met former UFC star Yoel Romero in a submission grappling matchup back in 2019, when Romero made Barnett tap out to a kimura.
- Yahoo SportsAug 26, 2026, 7:20 PMEx-UFC heavyweight signs with PowerSlap
Ex-UFC heavyweight Chris Barnett is taking his talents to PowerSlap.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
UFC•Oct 17, 2026, 10:23 AMONE SAMURAI 4 Results: Anane, Hirata, And Sinsamut Victorious, Abe Bags US$100,000 Contract
UFC•Oct 17, 2026, 9:10 AMUFC Edmonton ‘Buckley vs. Malott’ play-by-play, results & round scoring
UFC•Oct 17, 2026, 9:00 AMUFC Fight Night 291 video: Joaquin Buckley, Mike Malott first fight week faceoff
UFC•Oct 17, 2026, 6:48 AMBishop survives early onslaught, outpoints Carmouche to capture PFL crown
UFC•Oct 17, 2026, 4:10 AMPFL Chicago video: Sarvarjon Khamidov swarms Rafael do Nascimento
UFC•Oct 17, 2026, 3:56 AMONE SAMURAI 4 – Results And Video Highlights For Every Fight