7. Josh Barnett
Were it not for multiple doping violations shrouding his career in controversy, Barnett might be looked upon in an even more favorable historical light. A catch wrestler who has studied under Erik Paulson and the late Billy Robinson, he boasts 21 submissions among his 35 professional victories. “The Warmaster” has captured titles in Pancrase and the Ultimate Fighting Championship while reaching the final of two prestigious tournaments: the 2006 Pride open weight grand prix and the 2012 Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix. Barnett debuted in 1997 and won 18 of his first 19 bouts -- an eye-opening run of success that included wins over Dan Severn, Randy Couture and Semmy Schilt. The Seattle native went on to defeat Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Mark Hunt, Hidehiko Yoshida, Sergei Kharitonov, Frank Mir, Roy Nelson and Andrei Arlovski. Barnett, who turns 40 in November, once again finds his immediate future in MMA murky after testing positive for a banned substance in wake of his rear-naked choke submission on Arlovski in September. He has not fought since.
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