Edson Barboza is a very recognizable name in the UFC’s Lightweight division. Whether it be his TKO victories by leg kicks over Mike Lullo and Rafaello Oliveria, or his devestating spinning wheel kick to Terry Etim’s head, Barboza is no stranger to victory or fight bonuses.
Barboza comes from Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He began training martial arts at three years old and was competing in Muay Thai by the age of eight. He has an astounding 25-3 Muay Thai record, which explains the thigh crushing leg kicks he delivers, and 22 of those victories came by way of KO. He has high rankings in multiple disciplines including a Black Belt in Taekwondo, Black prajied in Muay Thai and a Purple belt in BJJ.
Edson will be facing Bobby Green on November 22nd at UFC Fight Night 57.
I was able to catch up with the amazing Lightweight and get his out-look on the upcoming event.
Aaron Robbins: How is camp going?
Edson Barboza: “My camp is going great. I started my camp at American Top Team in Florida. For the last four weeks I’m heading to New Jersey, to finish it and get sharp for my fight with my whole team at Ricardo Almeida BJJ.”
AR: Are you currently healthy or dealing with any injuries?
EB: “I’m healthy.”
AR: Give us your thoughts on the cerrone fight. You were visibly disappointed, would you like to avenge that loss?
EB: “Well, it was tough, I knew I was able to win that fight. I had the best camp ever for the fight, I was 100%. I was very focused. Even in a few minutes I gave my best inside the octagon. But its MMA, one blow can change everything. That was what happened in that fight.”
AR: What are your thoughts on Bobby Green as a fighter?
EB: “He is a great fighter like anyone in my division. I think to be a UFC fighter you need to be one of the best.”
AR: Bobby has a tendency to get into mind games with his opponents, do you feel like that will be a factor?
EB: “He is a boxer, that’s how boxers like to fight. I usually do a lot of sparring boxing with boxers like that.”
AR: After the fight with green where do you see yourself in the rankings?
EB: “I’m totally focused on that fight and not on what that fight can take me to. I don’t know. The ranking it up to UFC. I’m not worried about ranking.”
AR: Is there anyone you would like to fight when you’re done with green?
EB: “I want to fight him. He is my next opponent. I don’t care who will be next. I love fighting. That’s my life. That’s my job.”
AR: Who are your most influential coaches /training partners?
EB: “Talking about coaches, I have huge influence from Mark Henry and Ricardo Almeida. Mark Henry is my head coach. He is the best. I’m very blessed to have him in my corner. Ricardo Almeida is such a nice guy, we have the same type of personality, so it’s easy to talk to him and understand what he wants. He is a great teacher. Both of them are very influential people, not only in my professional life, but also in my personal life. Also, my master Anderson Franca is an inspiration to me, when I was a child and I used to watch him fight, I was like ‘I want to be like him when I grow up’.
“Training partners, I would say, Frankie Edgar and Marlon Moraes. Frankie is such an inspiration to me. He is that type of guy who never stops training. When we are training together we are always challenging each other and it makes us grow together. Marlon Moraes is my partner since I was 12 year old. We used to train together in Brazil, then we were able to bring him to US. He is more than a partner. He is like a brother.”
AR: When you aren’t training, how do you fill your time. In other words, what do you enjoy in your life besides fighting?
EB: “I like to go to the beach with my wife and my dog. My wife is pregnant with our first son, Noah. I want to spend my time with her as much as I can. I like to bike as well. I usually do BMX. So, when I have a time free I grab my bike and go to a BMX park.”
AR: If you didn’t /couldn’t fight what would you like to do for a living?
EB: “I don’t know. I love fighting.”
AR: Edson is there anything would like to add?
EB: “I want to thank you for the opportunity to speak a little of my life and I want to thank everyone who is always supporting me like my sponsors Affliction, Haybusa, Duda,MMK/HPN and thank you my whole team.”
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Main photo courtesy of Sherdog
