Serge Ibaka and Matt Barnes
Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) blocks the shot by Los Angeles Clippers forward Matt Barnes (22) in the first quarter of game four of the second round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA, May 11, 2014. REUTERS/Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Memphis Grizzlies forward Matt Barnes appeared on ESPN and claimed that he would like to have a match with Oklahoma City Thunders forward Serge Ibaka, but not on a basketball court. Barnes, who was traded to Charlotte Hornets by LA Clippers this summer before being transferred to the Memphis Grizzlies, said he would like to fight the Congolese-Spanish player just because he does not like him.

“He’s got that aura about him that he’s the toughest guy on the planet, he’s not,” Barnes said on SportsNation, according to USA Today.

The 35-year-old Barnes, who played for the Clippers in the past three seasons, wants to reignite the brawl with Ibaka during the 2013-2014 NBA regular season. OKC’s shot-blocking forward responded on social media platform Twitter, asking UFC president Dana White if he was interested in funding the clash between the two basketball players.

“@danawhite @ufc are you interested?” Ibaka said on his Twitter account.

There has been no love lost between Barnes and Ibaka ever since the brawl took place at Staples Center in November 2013, when the two got into it with Ibaka about to throw a punch before restraining himself. However, they have not seen eye to eye yet ever since March 2013 after Ibaka was fined by the league for a low blow to Barnes’ groin.

Hours after accepting the challenge via Twitter, Ibaka has announced he would only fight Barnes once he wins an NBA championship. He also said that he wants to make a lot of money in the NBA first before he could fight Barnes. The 6-foot-9 Ibaka added that Barnes was “funny” after declaring his open challenge on ESPN.

“He is funny, though. He is funny. He can do good comedy,” Ibaka told TMZ.

Video courtesy: Youtube/Nick Smith

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