Chris Barnett, a former UFC heavyweight, has signed with Power Slap. The move marks a new chapter for Barnett following his time in the UFC.
Chris Barnett has traded the cage for the slap platform, signing with Power Slap following the conclusion of his UFC career.
Barnett, nicknamed "Beastboy," is a 40-year-old American heavyweight who compiled a professional MMA record of 23 wins and 10 losses. Standing five-foot-nine with a 75-inch reach, he fought out of an orthodox stance and trained with XFC. During his time in MMA, Barnett landed 3.36 significant strikes per minute at a 47 percent striking accuracy rate, a profile that reflects a fighter who kept busy on the feet. He recorded no takedowns or submission attempts per 15 minutes, underlining that his game was built almost entirely around his hands.
Why it matters
- Barnett's signing continues a trend of combat sports athletes transitioning from MMA into the emerging Power Slap competition format.
- His background as a striker with genuine knockout power makes him a natural fit for a discipline that rewards pure hand strength and durability.
- The move closes his UFC chapter and opens a new competitive outlet as he enters his fifth decade.
The switch represents a notable career pivot for a veteran who spent years inside the UFC's heavyweight division. Power Slap, which operates under the same ownership umbrella as the UFC, has steadily attracted fighters from the MMA world looking to extend their competitive careers in a different arena. For Barnett, the signing offers a fresh stage built around the one dimension of combat that defined his fighting style throughout his career.
