Edson Barboza vill på att gå en till match innan årets slut och hoppas då att UFC kommer att matcha honom mot en av de bästa i lättviktsdivisionen. Brasilianaren ligger just nu rankad nummer 13 och skulle ha legat högre om han inte förlorade mot Donald Cerrone och Michael Johnson.
Det här berättade Barboza, via ”MMAJunkie”:
I would really love that UFC could give an opportunity to fight against someone who is front of me in the rankings. I want to move forward in the rankings to get closer to the tittle.
I juli mötte Barboza Paul Felder i en minnesvärd match som då gjorde att de båda tjänade 50 000 dollar för fight of the night. Båda skadade sig tydligt men brasilianaren hävdar att han återhämtar sig snabbt:
I was very happy with my performance.I fixed a lot of things that I needed. I worked very hard with all my coaches, especially with Mark Henry, to fix the defense of my boxing game. Now, I know I have to train even harder to fix more things that I still need to.
I had the same usual injuries on my foot and also on my shin. I always hurt my foot and shin due to the kicks during the fight. I had also an injury outside of my eye, but nothing that bad; I was able to recover it one week after the fight.
I really hope to fight again this year, maybe December. When the UFC calls me I will be ready.
Det finns många som Barboza skulle kan tänka sig att möta, men om han själv fick välja skulle han möta före detta mästaren Anthony Pettis. Barboza har nu varit med i UFC i nästan 5 år och har bevisat att han är en värdig motståndare och han anser att han nu är i bättre form än någonsin tidigare.
I know most of the fighters who are ranked in front of me have fights scheduled already, and some others are dropping or moving up to the other division. So, I think a fight that would make sense and also a fight that a lot of fans are asking for on social media is against Pettis. I think it would be a war, and everyone would enjoy watching it.
I have never felt so good in my training camp. I think that it is the best moment of my career and also of my personal life with my wife and my son. I would like to thank all of my fans who are cheering and sending me positive energy. I want to let you all know that I will train harder and harder to put on a good show for all of you.
I am feeling great with more experience, and now it’s the moment to run to the title. I am feeling ready to go to the title.
Barboza mötte senast Paul Felder under UFC on FOX 16, där han segrade via enhälligt domslut. Han står nu med 16 vinster och 3 förluster.
