UFC Heavyweight Josh Barnett to Undergo Additional Drug Testing Through 2014

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UFC heavyweight Josh Barnett has agreed to undergo additional drug testing ahead of his UFC 168 bout as a condition for receiving a license to fight in Nevada.

Nevada Athletic Commission Executive Director Keith Kizer confirmed with Sherdog.com on Thursday that Barnett will receive weekly tests through the World Anti-Doping Agency prior to his Dec. 28 clash with Travis Browne. Sherdog.com additionally confirmed with a UFC official that the Las Vegas-based promotion will pay for Barnett’s additional testing leading up to his bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Barnett will also be subject to random drug tests at any time through 2014, regardless of whether he fights in Nevada next year.

Barnett, 35, has tested positive for banned substances on three occasions, with the first two instances coming in back-to-back fights more than 10 years ago. “The Warmaster” then tested positive in California ahead of a planned 2009 confrontation with Fedor Emelianenko under the Affliction banner. According to a report from Fox Sports, Barnett explained at today’s NAC meeting that the 2001 and 2002 failures were due to taking legal supplements that were later reclassified as steroids, while his 2009 positive possibly came as the result of taking potentially contaminated supplements.

The catch wrestling ace has tested clean since his 2009 setback, competing four times under the defunct Strikeforce banner before making a successful return to the Octagon this past August at UFC 164. Barnett’s first-round stoppage of Frank Mir marked the heavyweight’s 10th victory in his last 11 fights, nine of which have been finishes. Barnett is currently ranked sixth in the world by Sherdog and owns 20 of his 33 career wins by submission.