Josh Barnett hopes Roy Nelson is allowed to use steroids for UFC showdown in Japan

The heavyweight showdown between Josh Barnett and Roy Nelson -- which is set for UFC Fight Night 78 on Sept. 27, 2015 inside Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan -- was just recently announced, and already the two big men have begun their war of words.

"Big Country" took to Twitter, expressing his desire to see the new drug-testing policy from Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) being enforced in time for their international bout.

Because, well you know...

I HOPE @UFC DRUG TESTING IS IN EFFECT by then ;) Right @GeorgesStPierre @arielhelwani pic.twitter.com/nW0haVT4Yy

— Roy Nelson (@roynelsonmma) May 14, 2015

Not one to sit idly by, Barnett fired back with a clever remark of his own, hoping the company makes an exception and lets Nelson use steroids, just to make the bout a bit more competitive.

I'm hoping they allow you to do steroids just make this a competitive fight. Gravy injections haven't worked for you https://t.co/6HX91Ykcte

— Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) May 14, 2015

Of course, it's no secret Barnett was popped for banned substances on three separate occasions, the first coming way back in 2001 when he was flagged following his win over Bobby Hoffamn at UFC 34. A year later, he was stripped of the UFC heavyweight title after testing positive once again following his victory over Randy Couture at UFC 36.

In 2009, Barnett was tagged for steroids by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) prior to his scheduled fight against Fedor Emelianenko, which was set to go down under the now-defunct Affliction banner.

To his credit, Josh has been clean ever since.

As far as his "gravy' remarks toward Nelson, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that the former PRIDE FC star is taking a pot shot at "Big Country's" physique, which has been under scrutiny throughout his career. But don't get it twisted, the pudgy pugilist has the hands to make quick work of the best of them.

Barnett included?