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Barnett launches bid for Dana White's forgiveness

Dana White has forgiven fighters such as Tito Ortiz in the past © Getty Images

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Josh Barnett has told Dana White he is ready to bury their past in order to form a working relationship in the UFC.

Barnett currently stands to become one of the biggest losers of Zuffa's decision to buy Strikeforce, having had a very public bust-up with UFC president White in the past. Back in 2002 Barnett became the UFC's heavyweight champion before reportedly demanding to be paid top dollar for his troubles. However, those demands were scuppered when he tested positive for steroids following his title triumph over Randy Couture.

Over the past decade Barnett and White have often exchanged words but now the 33-year-old, who has won his last six fights, has offered something of an olive branch that could prove crucial to the continuation of his career.

"Things have changed," said Barnett to Sherdog. "This is major and great things can come from it and I just want to be a part of that, and the way I can best do that is be the best fighter I can be.

"I'm not here to make this a personal vendetta or judgment with [Dana], especially in terms of business. I know what I've got to do and I know what his position is in terms of being the president of the UFC, and that he has excelled at. He's done a great job.

"If he hates me, he hates me; but if he sees the value in what I bring to the table as a fighter I think that will speak for itself," he said. "But you know what? I don't hate Dana and I do business, and I'll go out there and do the absolute best that I can do and if he happens to be my employer… literally, if Dana White has an office that I have to write into every day, because that's the person I report to for my business, well that's what I'll do."

Given the UFC's control over the futures of Strikeforce fighters, White could now allow Barnett's contract to run its course before releasing him of his duties.

"There is a part of me that absolutely wishes that things between myself and the UFC had worked out differently," stated an apologetic Barnett. "I was 23, 24-years-old at the time and I took advice from where I took it and I tried to do what I thought was the best thing at the time, but this guy that is sitting here talking to you now would tell that kid he was a moron.

"Dana likes to go out there and crush, kill, pillage, whatever; and let's face it, that's kind of my M.O.," said Barnett. "As much as I may have ever had difficulty with Dana at the end of the day there is a part of me that absolutely vibes with what he is does.

"Whether he wants to think about it or not, here and now, no bulls**t, Dana White is pretty f***ing metal and I am a metal dude… we'll at least have that sort of respect that can't be overlooked."

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