Edson Barboza eager for quick turnaround after snapping skid at UFC on ESPN+ 37

ABU DHABI – Edson Barboza is looking to get back in the octagon as soon as possible after beating Makwan Amirkhani at UFC on ESPN+ 37.

Barboza (21-9 MMA, 15-9 UFC) snapped a three-fight losing streak Saturday when he beat Amirkhani (16-5 MMA, 6-3 UFC) by unanimous decision in their featherweight co-headliner, which took place at Flash Forum on Yas Island.

The Brazilian has been asking the UFC to keep him active all year, and he continued that plea after a crucial career victory.

“Please, UFC, give me a fight soon as possible,” Barboza told reporters, including MMA Junkie, post-fight at UFC on ESPN+ 37. “I really love my job. I hope UFC give me chance to fight as soon as possible. I need just a couple of days to enjoy my family and my kids, my wife. Thank God no injuries. I was 100 percent healthy, and I want to get back in the gym and train harder and fight as soon as possible.”

Barboza’s victory marked the first time he got his hand raised since December 2018. The 34-year-old believes his past two fights – split decision losses to Dan Ige and Paul Felder – should’ve been scored for him, but his record showed the three consecutive defeats.

Barboza said the pressure to get a win was heavy, and he’s highly relieved.

“I feel like I take a couple hundred thousand pounds off my shoulder,” Barboza said. “It’s hard. I thought I win my last two fights against Paul and Ige. Thank God I’m back to get my W, and I’m very, very happy.”

Although Barboza was largely dominant against Amirkhani, he was unable to get the stoppage. He dropped his Finnish foe twice and credited Amirkhani for surviving to the final bell.

“Talk about the best guys in the world,” Barboza said. “Everybody in the UFC never give up. If I go down, I will never go down, too. I will go out fighting. He’s definitely one of the best in the world. He come back. I tried to get him over.”