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Injured Cyborg: “Barnett Went Too Far with Disrespect of Jiu-Jitsu. I Want to be the One to Take the Title from Him’

Injured Cyborg: “Barnett Went Too Far with Disrespect of Jiu-Jitsu. I Want to be the One to Take the Title from Him’

 

Roberto Cyborg Abreu is out of the Metamoris 6 main event vs Josh Barnett due to an injury. This happens just 3 days before the event. Ryron Gracie will replace him.

Cyborg still wants another shot at Barnett. He said that catch wrestler went too far with his comments on Jiu-Jitsu and that he would like another chance to take away his title.

Josh Barnett is a catch wrestler (type of submission wrestling) and has a controversial relationship with BJJ.

Barnett has serious grappling skills as he competed at the World Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championships in southern California and won the “Ultra Heavyweight” division with a judges’ decision over Bruno Paulista. Barnett celebrated the victory on his Twitter account, proclaiming “Catch Wrestling lives!”, much to the chagrin of BJJ competitors like Pablo Popovitch, who told Graciemag.com before this event:
“[W]e can’t let a guy who does catch wrestling win the Jiu-Jitsu World Championship.”

Feeling confident from his win in the No Gi Worlds, he then competed in the GI at the California Classic 2009 BJJ Tournament on November 15, 2009. in the Black Belt GI Absolute division, Barnett first beat the much lighter Otavio Sousa by foot lock and then lost a decision to ADCC veteran and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion Romulo Barral from Gracie Barra. On December 19, 2009, Erik Paulson awarded Barnett his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. Even though Barnett had never trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu he was given his belt based on competition merit and overall knowledge.

Cyborg:

“Unfortunately due to a rib injury, I won’t be able to fight this weekend at Metamoris. It has been a tough decision to make. I was fully committed to my training and very motivated with the chance of defending the flag of BJJ and taking the title from Josh Barnett, but my trainers and doctors advise me not to fight since I wouldn’t be able to perform, risking my health and jeopardizing my career. In addition to misrepresenting my art and not giving fans the fight they deserve. I’ll have to bow out for this time, recover myself 100% and wait for my next opportunity to fight Metamoris, hopefully against Josh, and focus on my super fight on ADCC.
Thanks to all of my fans/sponsors/friends/ family for all the love and support always!
Osss… — Roberto Cyborg Abreu”