Pat Barry (8-7) announced his intentions to step away from MMA last week, but it looks like the former UFC Heavyweight isn’t taking a break from combat sports indefinitely.

Barry appeared on the February 3rd edition of The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, and fans soon learned what was in store in the 34-year-old’s agenda.

UFC vet Pat Barry signs two-fight contract with GLORY World Series

After the UFC and Zuffa released him willingly and on gracious terms, he will be returning to kickboxing and has already two fights, it seems, scheduled ahead of him.

Pat Barry during the weigh-ins, in his scheduled match-up with Stefan Struve at UFC on Versus 6.

“Over the past few fights I’ve just had this sinking feeling in my stomach whenever I have stepped into the octagon and I realize, I don’t want to wrestle!” Barry said, in a statement issued by Suckerpunch Entertainment. “Not saying I will never do MMA again, but right now I just want to hit people. MMA and the UFC have been great to me and I will always support the company and the sport. I want to thank all my fans, sponsors and haters for being with me on this journey and I look forward to what (the) future holds.” 

Barry has signed a two-fight deal with kickboxing phenomenon GLORY World Series. But before he makes his promotional debut, he will be fighting in the WKA North American Championship on March 22nd in Richmond, Virginia. He does not have an opponent confirmed for either fight at this time.

Barry has always been known for his striking abilities in the octagon. Although he’s been often credited for an ever improving ground game, the former UFC vet was clearly happy to return to a sport he’s favored from the start.

“There’s been some great days lately, man,” he said with a smile. “I’m having a kickboxing match again. I’m finally able to go back to doing what I’ve wanted to do from the beginning.”

Barry entered the UFC in 2008, and immediately showcased his fitnesse in the striking department by stopping Dan Evensen impressively by leg kicks. In his Jekyll and Hyde UFC career, “HD” then garnered a reputation for putting on splendid fights and knockouts, as evident in his tussles with Cheick Kongo and Stefan Struve among others. Barry’s last appearance under the UFC banner came at UFC Fight Night 33, in a losing effort to Australia’s Soa Palelei.

GLORY is the world’s largest kickboxing promotion. MMA fighters like former PRIDE champ Mirko Cro Cop, former Strikeforce vet Sergei Kharitonov and the Blackzilians’ Tyrone Spong continue to ply their trade in the organization. GLORY’s next event, which will be the promotion’s first of the calendar year, takes place on March 8th in Zagreb, Croatia.

*Pictures credit: Ultimate Fighting Championship

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