Feigning incredulity with a funny face is a pastime for Josh Barnett, who once used it to hilarious effect during pre-fight referee instructions in Japan.

Japan loves the Washington-born mixed martial arts fighter.

Of course, Barnett also feigns ignorance to the reasons why he’s so popular over there.

Yes, Josh, we know your tricks.

Now, Barnett returns to the United States to face former conqueror Pedro Rizzo (16-7) in the Affliction: Banned event at the Honda Center in Anaheim on Saturday, July 19. The fight card will be shown on pay-per-view.

Will America love Barnett, too?

One thing about Barnett; he doesn’t take himself overly serious. Though he has that ultra competitive spirit needed to fight at the elite level, you won’t find Barnett punching himself in the head for making a mistake.

Instead, he might laugh, but not after the fight starts.

“Soon as the music cuts in I have no friends,” says Barnett (22-5).

He’s a colorful character who delights in providing a little insanity to a usually predictable acting sport.

The heavyweight star has company next week as he and several of his friends arrive in Orange County to perform for the crazy MMA fans of that area. The funny man has serious plans.

“I don’t look any further than the fight in front of me,” Barnett, 30, says. “He’s going to try and knock my block off and I’m not going to let him.”

One powerful incentive for the jocular blond fighter will happen in the main event when former heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia meets the legendary Fedor Emelianenko. Nothing can burn a fire inside Barnett than knowing a win over Rizzo possibly sets up a showdown with the Russian gladiator.

“I did this to become the baddest guy on the planet,” says Barnett when asked about incentives to fight. “I didn’t do this to become famous.”

Or so he says.

But most people know that “the baddest guy on the planet” usually is known throughout the world, and that equals fame.

Tom Atencio, vice president for Affliction, recognizes that Barnett has beaten a number of MMA superstars, yet remains anonymous to the new generation of MMA fans because of fighting in Asia the last few years.

Video   MMA Fight Weekly July 10: A look back at UFC 86, and Mike Chiappetta looks at the significance of Forrest Griffin's title win. NBC Sports

“One of my goals is to make Josh famous. He fought Randy Couture. He deserves recognition here,” Atencio said during a conference call. “When he fights in Japan everybody knows him there.”

While in the land of the rising sun, Barnett faced a number of excellent fighters from 2003 to 2008. Among those that clashed with the fighter known as the “Baby-Face Assassin” were Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic, Antonio Nogueira, Jeff Monson, Kazuhiro Nakamura and Fedor’s little brother Aleksander Emelianenko.

Barnett knows to be the baddest, you must crush big brother Fedor.

It’s not too far-fetched. Barnett already owns victories over two other heavyweight legends in Randy “The Natural” Couture and Dan Severn in 2002 and 2000, respectively. The only one standing in his way is compadre and next opponent Rizzo.

“Hey, I had a couple of fights against a couple of really close friends of mine in Japan,” Barnett said. “You punch me, I punch you.”

Expect Barnett to bring down the curtain on Rizzo.

“The Law” fights back
Aside from Barnett and Rizzo, another well-known fighter on the Affliction card is Matt Lindland (20-5), who will face Brazil’s Fabio Nascimiento (8-3) in a middleweight battle.

Lindland, also known as a Congressional candidate (he’s running for Congress in Oregon), hasn’t fought since stepping in the ring against Fedor Emelianenko in April 2007. But he’s always dangerous.

Dan Henderson, a Team Quest teammate and former Olympic wrestler like Lindland, says his buddy may be the best fighter in the world at 185 pounds or any weight.

Lindland is serious about this coming fight. So serious that even his political aspirations are on hold for now and he’s told his organizers to forget his phone number.

“I told them after I won the primary I wasn’t going to do any campaigning,” Lindland, 38, said. “I’ve just been focused on the fight…politics can wait.”

Though he lost to the great Emelianenko, the Oregon fighter feels the learning experience can only benefit him.

“I think fighting quality guys whatever weight is always an advantage,” Lindland said. “You get to get in the ring with the best fighters in the world. I got together with Fedor and didn’t do as well as I think. I got to fight Rampage and I beat him up for three rounds. I made some mistakes and made some adjustments. I’ve learned from it.”

Andrei Arlovski to box?
A couple of weeks ago inside the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, I was watching Filipino prizefighter Manny Pacquiao spar with several boxers. Sitting on a bench in front of me was this huge guy with dark hair that resembled someone I’d seen before. When he got up and turned around I immediately recognized Andrei Arlovski.

World famous boxing trainer Freddie Roach is preparing the Russian fighter, who will be on the Affliction card on July 19. He’s scheduled to fight Ben Rothwell in a heavyweight MMA bout. Then after that fight, he may make his pro boxing debut on a Golden Boy Promotions boxing card on Sept. 13 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. No opponent has been established but it will likely be a four-round heavyweight bout. 

Roach recently told reporters that nothing is set regarding Arlovski's boxing debut, but added that he believes Arlovski could be a "top 10 heavyweight in boxing."

MORE FROM MMA

MMA Section Front

Sobral aims to capture Strikeforce crown Crisis averted; Fitch, AKA back in UFC Fitch cut, AKA team's status in UFC in jeopardy Penn ready for a date with GSP — and destiny Is Brock Lesnar the LeBron James of MMA? Lesnar starts new era with KO over Couture UFC 91: Lesnar vs. Couture action photos UFC 91: Lesnar vs. Couture round-by-round UFC weigh-in tells tale of speed vs. power Trump rep: Donald still on board with Affliction MMA Section Front   Add MMA headlines to your news reader: