Contender Series winner Martin Buday has his UFC debut set, and it will come against fan-favorite Chris Barnett.
Buday (9-1) recently revealed that he’d signed a bout agreement for the UFC’s April 16, 2022 Fight Night event. Eurosport.nl subsequently reported that Barnett (22-7) was his planned opponent.
Buday finished Lorenzo Hood with a knee to capture a UFC contract on last year’s edition of Dana White’s Contender Series. The knockout win extended the Slovak heavyweight’s winning streak to eight.
Turning pro in 2015, Buday’s only loss came on the regional circuit, against current UFC heavyweight and Ultimate Fighter winner Juan Espino.
In comparison, Chris Barnett has vastly more experience, and has fought as a pro all over the globe since 2009. Barnett competed against a who’s who of heavyweights outside the UFC, and even has an early career win against current UFC fighter Walt “The Big Ticket” Harris.
Signed to the UFC last year, Barnett dropped a fight to Ben Rothwell, but bounced back in a big way with a Performance of the Night winning wheel kick knockout of Gian Villante at UFC 268.
The big man’s celebration afterwards was almost as entertaining as the fight.
Spinning wheel kick and an incredible front flip celebration for Chris Barnett 🤯 #UFC268 pic.twitter.com/LdmMnvjBiI
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) November 6, 2021
The UFC’s April 16, 2022 Fight Night event does not yet have a venue, location, or broadcast plan officially announced. The following bouts have been reported for the card:
Drakkar Klose vs. Brandon Jenkins
Miguel Baeza vs. Dhiego Lima
Jesse Ronson vs. Rafa García
Chris Barnett vs. Martin Buday
