Chael Sonnen says he's challenging Josh Barnett at Metamoris 7 in November, but it's news to the promotion's heavyweight champion.

"I'll even give you gentleman a prediction," Sonnen told Submission Radio. "Sonnen wins. I'm going to take his fat ass down and he will never get up. And let him know I said that.

"I'm going to take Josh down and then I'm going to whisper in his ear, `Welcome to the next 20 minutes of your life.'"

Well, Barnett says nothing's on the books, but that he'd be more than happy to hand Sonnen his third loss at Metamoris.

"I couldn't think of a worse thing than to be anywhere with Chael Sonnen for 20 minutes," Barnett told Jon Anik and Kenny Florian Monday afternoon. "There's no contract. Nothing has been signed on my end, but man, 20 minutes with Chael. I would be embarrassed to let it go that long to be perfectly honest. It wouldn't be a match.

"Maybe I'll lock him up in a few different things and let him go. Just keep going and give him a free private lesson that he got paid for."

Sonnen hasn't had much luck in Metamoris' 20-minute, submission only format. After being submitted by multi-time world champion Andre Galvao in the main event at Metamoris 4 in 2014, Sonnen went to a fairly uneventful draw with fellow UFC vet Renato Sobral at Metamoris 6 in May.

Barnett on the other hand has done pretty well. Barnett became the heavyweight champion by tapping 2X Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) champion Dean Lister at Metamoris 4. Lister hadn't been submitted since 1998. Barnett was set to face 2013 ADCC absolute champion Roberto "Cyborg" Abreu at Metamoris 6, but the Brazilian withdrew due to injury. Barnett went on to submit Ryron Gracie via toehold.

"For the most part, [Metamoris president] Ralek Gracie just throws names at me," said Barnett. "Who's available. Who's willing to get on the mat. The only opponents I've ever had were the ones that said, 'Yea, I'll actually wrestle him.'"

For now, Barnett is focused on his headlining bout opposite Roy Nelson at the UFC's upcoming Fight Night event Sept. 26 in Saitama, Japan

5 MUST-READ STORIES

#freenickdiaz. The Nevada Athletic Commission hands Nick Diaz an unprecedented five-year suspension and $150,000 fine stemming from a failed post-fight drug test on Jan. 31 at UFC 183.

'They issued this based on a vendetta against Nick.' Nick Diaz's team will file petition for judicial review of "draconian" NAC suspension.

'I'm the only one who's invested in a fight life.' Nick Diaz speaks with Ariel Helwani and opens old wounds on a dark day in his career.

'It became all about Lundvall.' Chuck Mindenhall explains why Nick Diaz's five-year ban from a spurned commission comes with its own set of words: Travesty, ego, ridiculous...

In other news. NAC requires Jake Shields to do community service for punching Rousimar Palhares after bell.

MEDIA STEW

UFC 192 Extended preview.

Nick Diaz speaks with the media about his suspension.

Ronda Rousey on Ellen.

Roy Nelson talks Japan, Josh Barnett, gravy.

Free Fight: Tyron Woodley vs. Josh Koscheck.

TTTHS.

Making the rare highlight exception.

Long watches.

Herschel Walker Talks Long Martial Arts History and Comeback Full "Inside MMA" Interview

...

Friend of the MR Skylar Astin joins The Fighter and The Kid

TWEETS

See how the pros reacted to Nick Diaz's suspension.

The boss.

A lot more Diaz reactions.

.@Nickdiaz209, we the MMA community got your back. This will get reduced. Act like a gentlemen next hearing and don't do this again! #MMAfam — Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) September 14, 2015

I can't even count how many #MMA fighters have popped for steroids and only got 6 months after pleading ignorance — Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) September 14, 2015

I was taking IV medication while in the hospital for MRSA a month ago.im now fearful NAC will hire a hitman to take me out. #freenickdiaz — Cole Miller (@colemillerATT) September 14, 2015

smoke weed=5 yr suspended but steriods=1yr. who r these fuckin idiots makin these decisions, get them outta there. free @nickdiaz209 — josh hill (@gentlemanjhill) September 15, 2015

You are not making Nick Diaz an example, you are appearing as tyrants. Don't abuse your authority. #FreeNickDiaz AND apologize. Ridiculous. — Gina Carano (@ginacarano) September 15, 2015

What is this I am hearing about 5 yr suspension for Diaz/weed but 1 yr for silva/roids?! Am I missing something? #freenickdiaz — Rose Namajunas (@rosenamajunas) September 15, 2015

Damn I can't believe he got 5 yrs and all that money for smoking fucking weed! That's so much money to have to give back. It's literally sad — James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) September 15, 2015

Did they really give @nickdiaz209 5 years? Did he kill someone I dont know about? — Jake Heun (@JakeHeun) September 15, 2015

I don't condone breaking the rules but that crazy as hell to say 5 years suspension for weed for Diaz but Silva for STEROIDS got 1 year — Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86) September 15, 2015

Also that 2 of the 3 tests Diaz took came back negative. Which were from a more reputable lab than the positive test. — Ben Askren (@Benaskren) September 15, 2015

#FreeDiaz that is absolutely mind blowing 5 yrs for mj vs 8 months for 3 diff steroids! #freenickdiaz — Ramsey Nijem (@RamseyNijem) September 15, 2015

Serious question, has a player in any major sport ever been suspended for five years over anything? — David Michaud (@bulldawgUFC) September 15, 2015

Imagine if Lebron James, or Aaron Rogers tested positive for prescribed marijuana & the NFL suspended them for 5 seasons #freenickdiaz — Sean McCorkle (@BigSexyMcCorkle) September 15, 2015

When you put it into the context of what Anderson Silva got as a punishment compared to what Diaz got, the NAC decision is just baffling. — Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) September 15, 2015

It seems that ego & making an example out of @nickdiaz209 was the main deciding factor for the #NAC & that's just plain wrong, period. — Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) September 15, 2015

Lesson of the day: u can beat ur wife, you can fight in a roid rage but u BETTER NOT smoke weed weeks b4 a fight even with a Rx card. — Nathan Quarry (@NateRockQuarry) September 15, 2015

Really? The NSAC gave @nickdiaz209 5 years. Talk about cruel and unusual punishment. I smell a revolution brewing. There will be blood!! — Stephan Bonnar (@StephanBonnar) September 15, 2015

@nickdiaz209 complete what they did in that hearing! Hope you appeal and win. — Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) September 15, 2015

@nickdiaz209 is a true Legend in the sport and one of the most loyal people I've known. NSAC actions are disgusting — Jake Shields (@jakeshieldsajj) September 15, 2015

The Nick Diaz suspension is an utter shame. This is a perfect example for the need of a strong Fighter Association. @MMAFA #FreeNickDiaz — Jon Fitch (@jonfitchdotnet) September 15, 2015

Athletes get same punishment or less for being wife beaters and steroid cheaters then for using THC? #FreeDiaz what a bad example 4 kids? — Ed Herman (@EdHermanufc) September 15, 2015

Congrats.

GOATS.

Ai vc vai jantar com pessoas especiais e ganha amigos! O mais legal de sentar frente a frente com... https://t.co/pna1w42gLd — Gabi Garcia (@gabijiu) September 15, 2015

The coolest face to face with Fedor is knowing that he's super shy and yet was keen to see my training videos, I give me posture tips and how to face a fight! '"We were looking forward to meet you" okay, I grew up watching him on TV, now he wanted to meet me?





Beef.

@scottcoker is a "real" man. He called me personally and invited me to be part of the historical Bellator show in San Jose this Saturday. — Jacob Stitch Duran (@StitchDuran) September 14, 2015

Buds.

@cripplerufc catsmasher follow me back so we can DM that's great your off your meds! would like to get a prayer in with you before u go in — Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) September 14, 2015

You gotta.

Damn right I took a selfie. A photo posted by Luke Rockhold (@lukerockhold) on Sep 14, 2015 at 9:34am PDT





FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Sept. 14 2015)

Darren Elkins vs. Robert Whiteford at UFC Fight Night: Duffy vs. Poirier

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