Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Edson Barboza
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Inks extension with UFC
Barboza recently signed a new, multi-fight contract with the UFC, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Despite the UFC seemingly trying to trim some of the aging fighters from its roster, Barboza is a combatant the company ultimately wanted to keep around. While the 35-year-old is just 2-5 in his last seven fights, he is coming off a victory against Makwan Amirkhani his last time out, and his two previous losses were via split decision. Barboza also has quality wins against Dan Hooker, Beneil Dariush and Paul Felder on his resume. The American Top Team product, as well as his trademark vicious body kicks, will now be around in the UFC for the foreseeable future (although the official terms of the deal were not disclosed).
Despite the UFC seemingly trying to trim some of the aging fighters from its roster, Barboza is a combatant the company ultimately wanted to keep around. While the 35-year-old is just 2-5 in his last seven fights, he is coming off a victory against Makwan Amirkhani his last time out, and his two previous losses were via split decision. Barboza also has quality wins against Dan Hooker, Beneil Dariush and Paul Felder on his resume. The American Top Team product, as well as his trademark vicious body kicks, will now be around in the UFC for the foreseeable future (although the official terms of the deal were not disclosed).
Rebounds with strong effort
Barboza defeated Makwan Amirkhani via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
ANALYSIS
Barboza needed a rebound performance in the worst way and got it. Entering with five losses in his past seven bouts, Edson leaned on his striking to get back in the win column. He hung with Amirkhani move-for-move when the two men ended up on the mat, but it was the power shots -- led by a pair of knockdowns in Round 2 -- that won Barboza this fight. Of the five losses previously mentioned, two were to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje, one was via a doctor's stoppage and two were via split decision. So while the recent record looks lousy, Barboza appears to have plenty of gas left in the tank. Edson turns 35 years of age this coming January, so he certainly can't afford another prolonged losing streak, but this strong effort should put him back on track at 145 pounds.
Barboza needed a rebound performance in the worst way and got it. Entering with five losses in his past seven bouts, Edson leaned on his striking to get back in the win column. He hung with Amirkhani move-for-move when the two men ended up on the mat, but it was the power shots -- led by a pair of knockdowns in Round 2 -- that won Barboza this fight. Of the five losses previously mentioned, two were to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje, one was via a doctor's stoppage and two were via split decision. So while the recent record looks lousy, Barboza appears to have plenty of gas left in the tank. Edson turns 35 years of age this coming January, so he certainly can't afford another prolonged losing streak, but this strong effort should put him back on track at 145 pounds.
Gets new opponent
Barboza will take on Makwan Amirkhani in a featherweight matchup at a UFC even scheduled for Oct. 10, MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Barboza was initially slated to face Sodiq Yusuff in October, but Yusuff withdrew for an undisclosed reason. The promotion immediately targeted Amirkhani as a replacement, and the matchup was booked Sunday. Barboza dropped his last fight against Dan Ige via split decision in May as he's now lost five of his last six fights. Amirkhani most recently defeated Danny Henry via submission (Anaconda Choke) at UFC 251 in July. Barboza has advantages in both height and reach.
Barboza was initially slated to face Sodiq Yusuff in October, but Yusuff withdrew for an undisclosed reason. The promotion immediately targeted Amirkhani as a replacement, and the matchup was booked Sunday. Barboza dropped his last fight against Dan Ige via split decision in May as he's now lost five of his last six fights. Amirkhani most recently defeated Danny Henry via submission (Anaconda Choke) at UFC 251 in July. Barboza has advantages in both height and reach.
UFC looking for new opponent
Barboza will need a new opponent after Sodiq Yusuff had to withdraw from their October 10 bout on Monday, Raphael Marinho of Combate.com reports.
ANALYSIS
It's not clear at this point why Yusuff withdrew from this fight, but the UFC is actively searching for an opponent. The first option apperas to be Makwan Amirkhani. Barboza last fought in mid-May when he dropped a decision to Dan Ige.
It's not clear at this point why Yusuff withdrew from this fight, but the UFC is actively searching for an opponent. The first option apperas to be Makwan Amirkhani. Barboza last fought in mid-May when he dropped a decision to Dan Ige.
In line to fight Yusuff
Barboza is in line to fight Sodiq Yusuff (foot) in a featherweight matchup at a UFC event scheduled for Oct. 10, Raphael Marinho of Combate.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Barboza had already been in talks to fight at the event in early October, but he now has a likely opponent in the works. Barboza has dropped five of his last six fights, most recently suffering a narrow defeat to Dan Ige via split decision in May. Yusuff is still undefeated in his four fights under the UFC banner after defeating Andre Fili via unanimous decision at UFC 246 in January, but he suffered a right foot injury during that fight that left him with a 180-day medical suspension. Barboza carries a height advantage, while Yusuff has an edge in reach.
Barboza had already been in talks to fight at the event in early October, but he now has a likely opponent in the works. Barboza has dropped five of his last six fights, most recently suffering a narrow defeat to Dan Ige via split decision in May. Yusuff is still undefeated in his four fights under the UFC banner after defeating Andre Fili via unanimous decision at UFC 246 in January, but he suffered a right foot injury during that fight that left him with a 180-day medical suspension. Barboza carries a height advantage, while Yusuff has an edge in reach.