Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Attacked by Masked Wrestler

NEW JERSEY - Josh Barnett has never been one to take life too seriously, and the former UFC heavyweight champion continued the trend as he prepared for his huge fight with Ben Rothwell on Saturday.

The 38 year old heavyweight was attacked by a masked wrestler as he went through his open workout in New Jersey on Thursday, as he rolled back the clock to his professional wrestling days in Japan.

Barnett was thrown around the ring and kicked repeatedly for the crowd's entertainment but will be in a real fight this weekend as he looks to break Rothwell's three-fight win-streak. However, the man formerly known as The Baby Faced Assassin is still out to entertain the UFC fans.

'People put microphones and cameras in front of my face, I'm going to make the most out of it and I'm going to have a good time while doing so,' Barnett told FOX Sports.

'In the end, it ended up being bonus to everything but it is undeniable that what we do is entertainment. This is not a sport. This is prize fighting, this is entertainment. This is a pro wrestling of a sort. I'm not here to be a goofy, over-the-top wild guy with a made-up persona but in even just being myself I can bring something interesting to the table.'

Barnett's fight on Saturday has become even more significant this week with Cain Velasquez pulling out of his heavyweight title fight with champion Fabricio Werdum which was set for next weekend in Las Vegas. If either man can make a statement in New Jersey they could be on the cusp of a shot at the title.

'My biggest thing is the results will open the doors for me,' Barnett said. 'I'm going to go out there and give the absolute best performance I can give and I know it's going to be exciting if I do so. I know I have that kind of confidence.'