Heavyweight
Josh Barnett (Pictures) will fight at Tokyo's Ariake Colosseum on May 18 against an undetermined opponent. Sengoku promoter World Victory Road made the announcement on its Web site Monday.
The 30-year-old former UFC champion previously co-headlined WVR's debut event on March 5, defeating Japanese Olympic judo gold medalist
Hidehiko Yoshida (Pictures) via heel hook in the third round.
Sherdog.com has learned from various sources that the "Babyface Assassin" is likely going to face either Olympic judo silver medalist
Naoya Ogawa (Pictures) or five-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion
Marcio Cruz (Pictures).
Barnett has fought in Japan for the past five years, gaining a large following in the land of the rising sun not only because of his in-ring performances, but also because of his interest in Japanese culture and his willingness to learn and speak the country's native tongue.
Last week WVR announced fights between
Mike Pyle (Pictures) and
Dan Hornbuckle (Pictures), and
Yoshihiro Nakao (Pictures) and
Jim York. Also scheduled:
Jorge Santiago (Pictures)-
Yuki Sasaki (Pictures);
Satoru Kitaoka (Pictures)-Ian Schaffa;
Kwang Hee Lee (Pictures)-
Eiji Mitsuoka (Pictures).
Heavyweight
Roger Gracie (Pictures) is expected to appear on the card as well.
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