Death of Chris Barnett's wife: children, personal life and everything about the UFC star's partner

Chris Barnett, Known for his rare blend of agility and power, the UFC heavyweight has faced countless challenges in the Octagon. But none compare to the battle he fought outside the arena in 2022 – a battle no athlete can prepare for. The journey, which began in 2009 with stints at 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 promotion, a personal tragedy struck that left Barnett dealing with unimaginable heartbreak.

In 2022, the larger-than-life fighter experienced an emotional blow that rocked his world. While training for a heavyweight fight 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 drawn into a battle for his heart and soul, one filled with heartache, loss, and the burden of moving on. Here's what we know about this heartbreaking chapter in Chris Barnett's life.

Everything we know about Chris Barnett's wife and her unfortunate death

On April 16, 2022, Chris Barnett was scheduled to face Martin Buday at UFC Vegas 51. But while he trained, his wife battled an even tougher enemy: encephalitis, a severe inflammation of the brain that left her hospitalized for months. On an episode of Just Scrap Radio, he said Barnett received a phone call that shook him just 30 hours before his fight.

The hospital told him he had to make a life-changing decision about his wife's care, and he revealed: “I thought, 'Hmm, what do you mean?' She was fine when I left and now this is showing up. With all that was going on, this camp was not a camp man. She went to the hospital on February 8 and stayed there until May 10.”

The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on Barnett, even during the fight. He confessed that his thoughts were not on the Octagon, but on his wife and children, wondering how he would break the devastating news. His focus faltered and each hit brought him back to the overwhelming sadness he carried inside. But during this dark time, UFC CEO Dana White extended a compassionate hand.

He offered Barnett emotional and financial support and “Beastboy” confessed: “He called me and asked, “Why, are you okay?” Let me know if you need anything. He knows I’m not the type of person to ask for things, but he still did things outwardly.” Despite his loss, Barnett found comfort in White's unexpected kindness, and in the turmoil over his wife's untimely death, his children 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. After his wife's death, Barnett stepped away from the cage to focus on his mental health and, more importantly, his children. Now he will return to the Octagon for the first time since 2022 at UFC 308 Kennedy NzechukwuHe revealed how his life changed after his wife's death.

Speaking to UFC.com, Barnett explained: “…with everything that happened with my wife, everyone says, 'Oh yeah, I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm fine.' But I wasn't feeling well. I had to take the time to get to the point where I was actually, I don't want to say believe in myself, but actually take the time for my mental health and make sure the kids were straight .”

Barnett admitted he took time out of the cage to focus on his mental health and, most importantly, his children. He realized that healing could not be rushed and that his priority was to make sure his children were well. Together they sought solace at 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 him DaughterR. “I asked her directly: 'How do you do it?' She said: “I can only think of all the positive things Mum and I have done.”'” Barnett shared with a smile. It was a sort of role reversal, with his daughter offering the words of encouragement he felt he should have given her.

Chris Barnett's story is not just about loss, but also about resilience. It's about a man who, despite being knocked down by the hardest blow of his life, finds the strength to get back up for his children. As he prepares to return to the Octagon at UFC 308, his true strength will be measured not by his knockout power, but by his ability to keep going – one step at a time, one fight at a time.