HBO To Carry UFC? Josh Barnett Update, Mark Kerr, & More Submitted by Matthew Boone on Saturday, January 18, 2003 at 3:59 PM EST
The Mark Kerr (and to an extent, Mark Coleman) documentary "Smashing Machine" continues to get rave reviews. The film has aired four times now on the HBO network, two of which ran on the regular HBO channel, while the other two have replayed on HBO affiliates.
Some have already speculated that since HBO has heard nothing but positive things (I haven't heard any word on what rating the show scored, but I'm told it's not bad) that there is a possibility of the network carrying mixed-martial arts. There is absolutely nothing to those rumors. As far as American companies, UFC has been negotiating with a few cable networks, ESPN being one of them (also the least likely) and I don't believe HBO is in the mix due to their strong boxing coverage.
Josh Barnett is close to signing a deal with New Japan Pro Wrestling to commit to more worked pro wrestling matches with the company. Barnett debuted in New Japan for his first ever pro wrestling match on January 4th at the Tokyo Dome against IWGP Heavyweight champion Yuji Nagata. While Barnett lost his first match, many feel he showed great skills as a professional wrestler and could have a good future in the business if he chooses to take that route. Signing the new deal with New Japan leads many to believe that is the case, but it doesn't kill his MMA career. In fact, mixing both worked and shoot matches in Japan is probably the best career move for Barnett in Japan.
As said countless times in the past, since Barnett is in Japan for pro wrestling matches and his suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission runs up in the very near future, many feel Japanese shoot-fighting promoters will finally put together the highly anticipated Josh Barnett vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira Heavyweight showdown.
