Jake Hager Wants Fight With Fedor Emelianenko, Josh Barnett Responds

Jake Hager and Josh Barnett are feuding on Twitter after Hager expressed his displeasure at not getting a shot at fighting Fedor Emelianenko. Hager, who competes for Bellator in addition to his AEW work, posted to Twitter on Thursday explaining how he “really honestly believe[s] that” the fight with Emelianenko is his and that “It’s been my fight since I came to Bellator.” He referenced an interview he did with MMA Fighting recently where he said:

“Just because I have a shorter career doesn’t mean I’m not as worthy. I have a bigger following, I have more excitement behind me, and I have a brighter future than all of those guys. So give it to me Scott [Coker], because I’m the one that you’re going to build this company on, not those guys that are just coming in for a one-and-done. I’m here for the next 10 years. Let’s go.”

Barnett took to Twitter to reply, writing:

“No, it’s not. Having more followers doesn’t mean anything in terms of merit or skill in the ring. You’re a green boy who fights rookies. You don’t even belong in the conversation. Stick to AEW and getting in a few fights before you eventually lose and then quit.”

The two then went back and forth again, with Hager referencing Barnett’s violations for banned substances and Barnett suggesting that if he wants to get a fight against the likes of Emelianenko, Hager should “start putting needles in your ass so that you might show some real talent in the cage. May even give you enough fortitude to not b**ch out from a nut shot while you’re wearing a cup.”

This is my Fight 🇺🇸@BellatorMMA @AEWonTNT pic.twitter.com/MtuRgan5im

— Jake Hager (@RealJakeHager) July 5, 2021

No, it's not.

Having more followers doesn't mean anything in terms of merit or skill in the ring.

You're a green boy who fights rookies. You don't even belong in the conversation.

Stick to AEW & getting in a few fights before you eventually lose & then quit.@RealJakeHager https://t.co/bjOV8yzCPX

— 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖂𝖆𝖗𝖒𝖆𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖗 (@JoshLBarnett) July 8, 2021

I’ll put asses in the seats while you put needles in your ass.
Pass a drug test BOY and watch me get this fight https://t.co/9PzLeNSy6S

— Jake Hager (@RealJakeHager) July 8, 2021

What's the point of Fedor beating up a 3 fight scrub?

I suggest you start putting needles in your ass so that you might show some real talent in the cage. May even give you enough fortitude to not bitch out from a nut shot while you're wearing a cup. https://t.co/ihYxC2xBB6

— 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖂𝖆𝖗𝖒𝖆𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖗 (@JoshLBarnett) July 8, 2021