LAS VEGAS – Charles Jourdain knows exactly who he wants to face next.
The UFC featherweight wants to share the octagon with long-time contender Edson Barboza for his next UFC outing. Jourdain (13-4-1 MMA, 4-3-1 UFC) thinks a fight with the Brazilian makes the most sense following his first-round submission win over Lando Vanata at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 205 in Las Vegas.
Jourdain finds Barboza to be a frighting opponent and that gives him even more of a reason to want to fight him.
“I would love to fight Edson Barboza because the only time they got the better of him was with grappling exchanges, which I like, but I’m not a big fan of,” Jourdain said at the UFC Fight Night post-fight press conference. “I like to stand and bang and like le pirate – I’m a pirate and I want to go in there and leave a part of my soul in there. Tonight I didn’t get to do it, but I want another terrorizing opponent that I’m scared because I know one day I will be like, ‘You did this. You didn’t shy away from the guys that most of the other guys didn’t want to fight.’”
If the fight against Barboza were to come to fruition, Jourdain promises fans he won’t use wrestling in the fight – something that’s troubled Barboza historically. Jourdain wants to have an all-out war on the feet with the seasoned veteran.
“Have you ever seen me shoot in a fight? No, I’ve never tried,” Jourdain said. “I think I did once in my fifth pro fight and it was horrible, so yeah. I know it’s MMA. It’s a vast world, but me and Edson if it goes to the ground it’s because of a muay Thai sweep or I’m dying because of low kicks. He might try and take me down as well, I’m not pushing that away. But first thing is first, let’s sign and we’ll do a proper camp. … If he’s interested, that would be a crazy fight for me.”
https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/04/ufc-fight-night-205-news-charles-jourdain-wants-edson-barboza-next-in-striking-matchup
