Edson Barboza focused on UFC featherweight title, but open to lightweight trilogy vs. Paul Felder

Edson Barboza is focused on getting the UFC featherweight title, but he’s open to a detour for a particular fight at 155 pounds.

The veteran featherweight contender notched a big win this past Saturday, defeating Sodiq Yusuff in a wild Fight or the Night contest in the main event of UFC Fight Night 230 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

This win is part of Barboza’s latest campaign to get his long-desired title shot, and that’s why he’s hoping to get another ranked opponent to further his case.

“Somebody in front of me in the rankings because I want to be a champ, and I want to climb up and get my chance for the title shot in the future,” Barboza told MMA Junkie. “All these things you said, it’s going to be a great fight. All those guys. The UFC always puts me against the best guys in the world, and I’m ready for that, let’s keep climbing up.”

Although Barboza (23-11 MMA, 17-11 UFC) has his eyes on the featherweight title, the Brazilian is open to returning to 155 pounds for a trilogy fight against Paul Felder.

Felder retired in 2021 and has been teasing a comeback to MMA. The two are tied up 1-1, as they’ve traded decision wins once in 2015 and the other in 2019.

“Maybe, if he makes 145, why not? Maybe I go up to 155, I don’t know,” Barboza said. “I’m a fighter. If you watch my last two fights against him. It’s two really good fights. He’s a good fighter, and that’s the type of fights that I love. He’s a great fighter, a great guy. If I fought him, it’s going to be a war again, so you never know.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 230.