Up to now, MMA fighter Josh Barnett is still wondering why the California State Athletic Commission has not issued him a license. The hearing was postponed many times and on the December hearing, the commission asked him to bring a legal counsel which he was not informed ahead of time. Barnett already served his one year suspension for taking anabolic steroids but he can’t fight in any professional competition without a license.

The Strikeforce, through its chief executive Scott Coker, announced this month that Barnett is included in the 8-man heavyweight tournament. He will be facing Brett Rogers in the second quarterfinal match but the date and place have yet to be announced. It is clear why the Strikeforce have not confirmed any date yet because of the status of Barnett. Aside from California, other states that may not issue a license to the “Baby Faced Assassin” are Nevada and New Jersey.

However, Coker is optimistic that other state athletic commission will give Barnett another chance provided the latter passed pre-fight test for steroids. “His suspension is off the registry, and a denial doesn’t go on the registry because that’s each state’s determination to make, as far as licensing an individual,” CSAC executive director George Dodd said.

Dodd told the media earlier this month that Barnett should contact him January 10 if he is interested to attend the February 4 meeting of the commissioners. However, Barnett did not comply. Dodd said that CSAC will still tackle the application for license in their next meeting but will issue a recommendation before the commission makes its ruling.

During an interview with MMAJunkie Radio, Barnett is still looking for some answers why his application for license is taking so long and confused on the CSAC’s process. “There are still some things I have to figure out with that with (legal) counsel and Strikeforce, and also, to hear something from the commission as well as to what exactly they intend to do or want. I definitely don’t want to spend my time and fly up there to be ambushed,” Barnett said.

One thing that Barnett should discern is his continuous denial of using anabolic steroids. In doing this, he indirectly questions the anti-doping policies of the California State Athletic Commission. This is the main reason why CSAC want to grill him again on his steroid use during the December 2 hearing. They also want to see that Barnett is already cleared of any performance enhancing drug before he can fight again. Aside from the required negative steroid test, he should also provide the commission with proof of his rehabilitation. The commission may be taking a hard stance on Barnett because the failed steroid test in July 2009 was his third offense for steroids. In fact, his failed steroid test has caused Affliction to close business.

In another interview, Barnett argued that steroids may not help athletes improve performance but admitted that the use of PED’s is common. “I think everybody is doing whatever they can to get an edge on their opponent, no matter what, be it taking anything whether it’s illegal or legal,” he said. “Is it working? I don’t really know. I don’t think so,” he added.

For Barnett, he doesn’t care if he is going against MMA fighters on steroids. “I fought guys who were way jacked to the gills (on steroids). I never cared – I just fought them anyways. I don’t care what pill you take or what shot or what new supplement or what diet you do,” Barnett said during his MMA Hour interview.

Let us wait if Barnett can still fight in the Strikeforce’s World Grand Prix heavyweight tournament.

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