Chris Barnett, the UFC heavyweight known for his rare blend of agility and power, has faced countless challenges inside the Octagon. Yet, none compare to the battle he fought outside it in 2022—a fight no athlete can prepare for. The journey that began in 2009, with stints in XFC, Rizin, and Road FC, culminated in his long-awaited UFC debut in 2021. Fans quickly gravitated to ‘Beastboy,’ celebrating his spectacular knockouts and infectious energy. But amid the excitement of his UFC rise, a personal tragedy unfolded that left Barnett grappling with unimaginable heartbreak.

In 2022, the larger-than-life fighter faced an emotional blow that shattered his world. While training for a heavyweight clash at UFC Vegas 51, Barnett’s life took a devastating turn—his wife tragically passed away. The fight he had been preparing for was no longer his sole focus. Instead, he was thrust into a battle for his heart and soul, one marked by sorrow, loss, and the weight of having to carry on. Here’s what we know about this heart-wrenching chapter in Chris Barnett’s life.

All we know about Chris Barnett’s wife and her unfortunate demise

On April 16, 2022, Chris Barnett was set to face Martin Buday at UFC Vegas 51. But as he trained, his wife was fighting an even tougher opponent: encephalitis, a severe brain inflammation that left her hospitalized for months. Speaking on an episode of Just Scrap Radio, he shared that just 30 hours before his fight, Barnett received a call that shattered him.

The hospital informed him that he had to make a life-altering decision regarding his wife’s care and he revealed, “I was like, ‘huh, what do you mean?’ When I left she was fine and now this is popping up. With all that going on that camp wasn’t a camp man. She went to the hospital, on February 8 and was in the hospital until May 10.”

The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on Barnett, even during the fight. He confessed that his mind wasn’t in the Octagon—it was with his wife and children, wondering how he would break the devastating news. His focus wavered, and every punch thrown brought him back to the overwhelming grief he carried. Yet, in this dark time, UFC CEO Dana White extended a hand of compassion.

He offered support to Barnett, both emotionally and financially, and ‘Beastboy’ confessed, “He called me and was like ‘why, are you alright? Let me know if you need anything’ type of thing. He knows I’m not the type of person to ask for anything but he still did stuff on the outside.” Despite his loss, Barnett found solace in White’s unexpected kindness, and in the turmoil of his wife’s untimely demise, his kids became his anchor.

Chris Barnett’s children and family

At the heart of Barnett’s strength are his two children—an 11-year-old daughter and a 9-year-old son. In the wake of his wife’s passing, Barnett stepped back from the cage to focus on his mental health and, more importantly, his kids. Now as he is set to return to the Octagon for the first time since 2022 at UFC 308 against Kennedy Nzechukwu, he revealed how his life changed after the passing of his wife.

Speaking to UFC.com, Barnett stated, “…with everything that happened with my wife, everybody says, ‘Oh yeah, I’m fine, I’m fine, I’m fine. But I wasn’t fine. I had to take the time to get to a place where I actually was, I won’t say believing in myself, but actually taking the time for that mental health, and making sure the kids were straight.”

Barnett confessed that he took time away from the cage to focus on his mental health and, most importantly, his kids. He recognized that healing couldn’t be rushed, and his priority was ensuring his children were okay. Together, they sought solace through a support group called Kate’s Club, where they found others who understood the deep loss they were experiencing.

As he continues to heal, Barnett sees his wife’s influence living on through his daughter. “I asked her straight up, ‘How do you do that?’ She was like, ‘All I can do is think of all the positive things me and mommy did,’” Barnett shared with a smile. It was a role reversal of sorts, with his daughter offering the words of encouragement he felt he should have been giving her.

Chris Barnett’s story isn’t just one of loss but of resilience. It’s about a man who, despite being knocked down by life’s cruelest blow, found the strength to get back up for his children. As he prepares to return to the Octagon at UFC 308, his true strength isn’t measured by his knockout power, but by his ability to carry on—one step at a time, one fight at a time.