ironworks
05-12-2014, 05:23 AM
Former UFC heavyweight Pat Barry returned to kickboxing earlier this month at Glory 16, but he found himself in what has become a very familiar situation when he was knocked out cold by Zack Mwekassa.
That followed what had been a run of three knockout losses in his final four UFC bouts, which led to his release after his December loss to Soa Palelei.
The latest brutal loss has many concerned for his long term health, including, apparently, the man who used to employ him as a training partner, former UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar.
UFC President Dana White said on Saturday following UFC Fight Night 40 that Lesnar contacted him earlier this month after Barry's loss, urging him to compel Barry to retire. Of course, White had to say it's not anywhere in his power to do so.
"Brock Lesnar called me and begged me to make him retire," White said (via FoxSports.com). "He said 'I don't consider too many people my friend, and I consider Pat Barry a friend, Dana you've got to get this guy to retire.' I said 'listen he's a grown man, Brock. What am I going to do, there's only so much I can do.'"
"It's different with guys like Forrest [Griffin] and Chuck [Liddell] guys that I have relationships with for a long time and guys who have made a lot of money. That's the difference. It's easy to make them quit. Lot tougher to make a guy quit that has to make a living."
Penick's Analysis: Considering Barry's not in the UFC anymore I'm not sure what good Lesnar thought White could do. Regardless, Barry absolutely shouldn't be fighting anymore. If Lesnar wants to advise him to retire, you'd think as well that he could contact Barry himself. Either way, no one's going to be able to force Barry to stop fighting, but if he gets the message, perhaps he'll be the better for it.
That followed what had been a run of three knockout losses in his final four UFC bouts, which led to his release after his December loss to Soa Palelei.
The latest brutal loss has many concerned for his long term health, including, apparently, the man who used to employ him as a training partner, former UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar.
UFC President Dana White said on Saturday following UFC Fight Night 40 that Lesnar contacted him earlier this month after Barry's loss, urging him to compel Barry to retire. Of course, White had to say it's not anywhere in his power to do so.
"Brock Lesnar called me and begged me to make him retire," White said (via FoxSports.com). "He said 'I don't consider too many people my friend, and I consider Pat Barry a friend, Dana you've got to get this guy to retire.' I said 'listen he's a grown man, Brock. What am I going to do, there's only so much I can do.'"
"It's different with guys like Forrest [Griffin] and Chuck [Liddell] guys that I have relationships with for a long time and guys who have made a lot of money. That's the difference. It's easy to make them quit. Lot tougher to make a guy quit that has to make a living."
Penick's Analysis: Considering Barry's not in the UFC anymore I'm not sure what good Lesnar thought White could do. Regardless, Barry absolutely shouldn't be fighting anymore. If Lesnar wants to advise him to retire, you'd think as well that he could contact Barry himself. Either way, no one's going to be able to force Barry to stop fighting, but if he gets the message, perhaps he'll be the better for it.