Josh Barnett reportedly released by UFC after five-year run (Updated)

***UPDATE: Barnett issues statement on reports of his pending release (click here)

Josh Barnett is no longer an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighter, as the bruising big man has been released by the Endeavor-owned mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion according to a recent report by MMA Junkie.

While his release has not been made public, anonymous sources close to the situation revealed the two sides have parted ways, though no further details as to what led to the split were disclosed.

Earlier this year, Barnett was cleared of any wrongdoing by United States Anti Doping Agency (USADA) after testing positive for a drug test in 2016, which sent him to the sidelines since. In March of this year, Josh won an arbitration case against USADA, allowing him to resume his career, though the damage had already been done.

Still, The “Baby Faced Assassin” wasn’t too sure what was going to become of his MMA career, but was adamant he wasn’t retired from the fight game. During his most recent run with the promotion which began in 2013, Josh amassed a 3-2 mark and was last seen choking out Andrei Arlovski in September of 2016 (see it).

Despite the uncertainty regarding his fighting future, the 40-year old former Heavyweight champion can now explore his options outside of the Octagon, which could very well see him realigned with his former Strikforce boss Scott Coker, who now heads up Bellator MMA.

And the interest is definitely there.