Introduction
When it comes to show-stopping finishes in the heavyweight division, few fighters deliver quite like Chris Barnett. With a ferocious wheel kick knockout and a career that spans continents, Barnett has carved out a unique niche in the world of mixed martial arts. In this article we’ll dive deep into his background—from his Spanish connection to his taekwondo roots and his major win on UFC’s big stage—plus his upcoming bout with Hamdy Abdelwahab, his age, Sherdog record, and much more.
1. Early Life & Spain Connection
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According to his Tapology profile, Barnett was born on June 14 1986.
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Interestingly, some sources list his birthplace as Zaragoza, Spain, where his father was stationed in the U.S. Air Force.
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While he fights out of the United States (Tampa, Florida) and is often considered American, that Spanish origin adds a unique cultural twist to his story.
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His martial arts background is steeped in taekwondo (his parents hold black belts) and he began training around age five.
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That early training in high-kicking arts clearly laid the foundation for the spectacular strikes he would become known for.
Why this matters:
The Spain connection gives Barnett a broader narrative than just “U.S. heavyweight fighter”. It also explains part of his dynamic kicking style and underdog journey through global promotions before landing in the UFC.
2. Career Overview & Sherdog Numbers
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On his Sherdog profile, Barnett’s professional MMA record stands at 23 wins and 9 losses.
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Out of his 23 wins, 18 are by (T)KO — that’s about a 78% knockout rate.
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He stands 5’9″ (175 cm) and his fight weight has hovered around 261 lbs (118.4 kg) for heavyweight bouts.
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Some interesting notes:
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He made his pro debut in 2009 and fought in Asian organisations such as Rizin and Road FC before signing with the UFC.
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While not the tallest heavyweight, his athleticism and kicking pedigree set him apart.
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Key takeaway:
Barnett’s profile speaks to a fighter who constantly defies expectations—compact heavyweight, heavy hitter, knockout artist. His Sherdog stats reflect the power and finishing ability that make him must-watch.
3. The Signature Wheel Kick Finish
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One of the most defining moments of his career came at UFC 268 (November 6 2021) when he knocked out Gian Villante via a spinning wheel kick and punches in round 2.
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That finish earned him the UFC’s “Performance of the Night” bonus.
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Analysts pointed out how rare it is for heavyweights to execute such dynamic kicks given size/weight. In his preview ahead of the upcoming bout, Sherdog wrote: “He knocked out Villante with a spinning wheel kick and finished Jake Collier in a wild war.”
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His ability to integrate taekwondo-influenced kicking with heavyweight explosiveness makes his style distinctive.
Why it’s important:
The wheel kick not only gave Barnett a highlight reel moment, but it also symbolised the blend of athleticism, style, and finishing ability that fans crave. For SEO, this move is a strong anchor — hence “wheel kick” features in the keyphrase.
4. How Old Is Chris Barnett?
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Born June 14, 1986.
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As of 2025 (current year) he is 39 years old. This age places him in the veteran category for heavyweights.
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Many commentators note that at 39, Barnett is likely in the “closing stretch” of his career, yet still capable of delivering big moments.
Why age matters:
Age in combat sports is critical—not just for how many years remain, but for how athletic attributes hold up. Barnett’s advanced age relative to many heavyweights will figure into narratives (underdog, veteran vs. up-and-comer) and affects how fans and analysts view his upcoming fights. Chris Barnett wheel kick.
5. Upcoming Fight: VS Hamdy Abdelwahab
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Barnett is scheduled to fight Hamdy Abdelwahab on October 25 2025 at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi.
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Abdelwahab’s profile: Age 32, height 6’2″, record 6-1 (5 KO/TKO) according to Sherdog. preview episode: “Now 39 years old… he might still be able to make some magic happen” vs Abdelwahab, who is “typically plugging away for three rounds, all while looking slow and fading”.
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From Tapology: Barnett weighed in at 261 lbs, Abdelwahab at 265 lbs for this heavyweight matchup.
Match-up Breakdown
Strengths for Barnett:
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Finishing ability: can end fights with one strike (wheel kick).
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International experience: global promotions, veteran status.
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Athletic kicking style unusual for heavyweight.
Challenges for Barnett:
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Age and wear: 39 years old, past prime by many measures.
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Size/speed differential: Abdelwahab is taller (6’2″) and younger (32).
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Abdelwahab’s momentum: quick finishes in smaller promotion bouts.
Prediction outlook:
If Barnett lands one of his big kicks early, he can win spectacularly. But if Abdelwahab drags the fight deeper and uses size/strength advantages, Barnett may be vulnerable. It’s likely to be a high-volatility bout. Chris Barnett wheel kick.
6. Spain | Why It’s Mentioned & Its Significance
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Many bios on Barnett list his birthplace or origin as Spain (Zaragoza).
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The “Spain” tag adds an interesting angle: Spanish connection, European origin, global upbringing.
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While Barnett fights out of the U.S., the Spain element helps differentiate him from other American heavyweights and provides a wider narrative hook (e.g., “Spain-born heavyweight” in SEO).
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For SEO purposes: having “Spain” in the article title can capture search traffic around “Chris Barnett Spain” or “Spain born MMA fighter”.
7. Why Barnett Matters to MMA Fans & SEO Audiences
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His story is rich: under-sized heavyweight, global journeyman, incredible knockout artist.
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The wheel kick KO is viral-friendly—makes for highlight reels, shareable footage, social engagement.
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The upcoming fight vs Abdelwahab gives immediate relevance (timely content) for search traffic.
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Keywords like “Chris Barnett age”, “Chris Barnett wheel kick”, “Chris Barnett Sherdog stats”, and “Chris Barnett vs Hamdy Abdelwahab” are likely to have interest peaks around the event date.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1. What is Chris Barnett’s age?
A1. Chris Barnett was born on June 14 1986, which makes him 39 years old as of 2025.
Q2. What is Chris Barnett’s record?
A2. According to Sherdog, his professional MMA record is 23 wins and 9 losses.
Q3. What is Chris Barnett’s signature move?
A3. His signature move is a spinning wheel kick (sometimes called a flying or spinning heel kick) which he used to knock out Gian Villante at UFC 268.
Q4. Where was Chris Barnett born?
A4. While he fights out of the United States, many sources list his birthplace as Zaragoza, Spain (due to his father’s stationing) and list him as Spanish-American.
Q5. Who is Chris Barnett fighting next?
A5. He is scheduled to fight Hamdy Abdelwahab on October 25, 2025 at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi.
Q6. What style does Chris Barnett train in?
A6. Barnett has a background in taekwondo (trained from young because his parents held black belts) and uses kicking techniques heavily in his fighting style.
Q7. What is Chris Barnett’s fighting weight and height?
A7. He is listed at about 5’9″ (175 cm) and fought around 261 lbs (118.4 kg) in recent heavyweight bouts. Chris Barnett wheel kick.
Conclusion
Chris Barnett is one of those fighters who defy the typical template of a heavyweight: smaller stature, but explosive athleticism; global resume, but late-arrival to the big leagues; a specialist killer strike in an era of grinding grapplers. His upcoming fight against Hamdy Abdelwahab offers a chance for one more highlight moment in his career. With the “wheel kick” signature, Spanish heritage, and knockout-heavy record, Barnett provides a compelling story for both fans and content creators.
