Josh Barnett will take on one of his most iconic opponents at Bloodsport XV.
Barnett announced on social media that he will face Yuji Nagata in Las Vegas. It will be the first match between the two since they main evented the Tokyo Dome on Jan. 4, 2003, where Nagata defeated Barnett to retain the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Barnett used that history to hype up his match.
23 Years ago, these two met in the Tokyo Dome, vying for the IWGP Heavyweight championship. It was the beginning for one, and for other, standing against an outside foe coming to take what he has earned.
Now decades later – no titles on the line; nothing at stake but pride,… pic.twitter.com/suVcf669LB
— 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖂𝖆𝖗𝖒𝖆𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖗 (@JoshLBarnett) March 30, 2026
23 Years ago, these two met in the Tokyo Dome, vying for the IWGP Heavyweight championship. It was the beginning for one, and for other, standing against an outside foe coming to take what he has earned.
Now decades later – no titles on the line; nothing at stake but pride, honor, and a fight for fighting’s sake.
Two old foes
One ring
The hardest hitting event in all of Professional Wrestling
Barnett’s last Bloodsport match was against Oli Thompson in London last year.
Below is the full card for Bloodsport XV in Las Vegas.
- Matt Mako vs. Angel Verduczo
- Ulka Sasaki vs. Joe Dashou
- Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Ray Jaz
- Erick Stevens vs. Fuminori Abe
- Miyu Yamashita vs. Janai Kai
- Shane Mercer vs. Royce Isaacs
- Masashi Takeda vs. Pete Dunne
- Timothy Thatcher vs. Charlie Dempsey
- Nattie Neidhart vs. Shayna Baszler
- Yuji Nagata vs. Josh Barnett
