Ex-UFC heavyweight signs with PowerSlap

August 26, 2026 - 18:14

Chris Barnett, known for his flashy spinning kicks and energetic walkouts during his UFC run, has signed a deal to compete in PowerSlap. The promotion, founded by Dana White, focuses on full-contact slapping matches, and Barnett now becomes one of the most recognizable names to enter that arena.

Barnett, who went 2-3 in the UFC with a memorable knockout of Gian Villante in 2021, was released from the promotion earlier this year. His style was always fan-friendly, mixing unorthodox striking with a heavy dose of personality. Now he is trading gloves for open-hand strikes, a shift that has drawn both curiosity and skepticism from the MMA community.

The heavyweight division in PowerSlap has been growing, and Barnett's size and athletic background could make him an immediate contender. He has not yet announced an opponent or a debut date, but the signing was confirmed by the promotion this week. Barnett has said he is taking the competition seriously and plans to bring the same showmanship that made him a cult favorite in MMA. Whether that translates to success in a very different sport remains to be seen, but his arrival adds another layer of intrigue to an already polarizing organization.