After he moved down to featherweight from lightweight and secured a new multi-fight contract that has him financially happy, no. 13 ranked Edson Barboza is rejuvenated and ready to go to battle with no. 9 ranked featherweight contender Shane Burgos.
Barboza split his last two fights. He lost a controversial decision in his featherweight debut against no. 8 ranked Dan Ige at UFC on ESPN 8 in May 2020. But Barboza rebounded from that loss, however, with a decisive victory over Makwan Amirkhani in the co-main event of UFC Fight Island 5 in Oct. 2020.
With Shane Burgos in front of him, Barboza looks forward to this matchup as much as he does.
“I’m a fighter but I’m a big fan. I love to watch some good fights, and I know it’s gonna be a really really good fight,” Barboza said to ESPN. “I’m very excited. Shane’s one of the best. I’m one of the best. It’s gonna be a big war.”
Barboza then provided his thoughts on what Burgos has to offer as an opponent.
“He’s a great striker. He has great boxing, head movement a lot and a lot of pressure. Yeah, man, he’s a great fighter,” Barboza said. “Like I sayid, he’s number nine in the world. It’s gonna be a good fight. I’m very excited. Like you fans, I’m very excited.”
With a new contract and an opportunity to climb the featherweight ranks, Barboza is ready to kick off the main card of UFC 262.
Edson Barboza ready to go to war with Shane Burgos
