Edson Barboza

Edson Mendes Barboza Júnior (born January 21, 1986) is a Brazilian and American professional mixed martial artist and former Muay Thai kickboxer.

He currently competes in the Featherweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and has formerly competed at Lightweight.

As of October 17, 2023, he is #11 in the UFC featherweight rankings.

Barboza comes from Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro.

He was born prematurely at 28 weeks and given a 50/50 chance of surviving past infancy.

At the age of 8, he began practicing and competing in Muay Thai.

His professional Muay Thai record is 25–3, with 22 victories by knockout and 17 first-round finishes.

Barboza moved to the United States in January 2009.

Barboza's professional MMA career began in April 2009 in Tampa, Florida with a victory over Aaron Steadman via TKO in the first round.

In his next fight, in the Renaissance MMA promotion, Barboza defeated Lee King via second-round KO, winning the lightweight title.

Barboza defended the belt, also against King, later that year, winning via submission in the first round.

Barboza went on to join New Jersey-based promotion Ring of Combat, making his promotional debut at Ring of Combat 28 against Nabih Barakat.

He won the fight via KO just over a minute into the first round.

After a second successful title defense in Renaissance MMA, Barboza challenged for the Ring of Combat lightweight belt against Marcelo Guidici.

He won the fight via TKO due to leg kicks in the first round.

Barboza's first title defense was originally scheduled for Ring of Combat 31, against Mikhail Malyutin, but, due to his signing with the UFC, he was replaced by Luiz Azeredo.

Barboza was expected to make his UFC debut against Darren Elkins on November 20, 2010, at UFC 123.

However, Elkins was forced from the card with an injury and replaced by newcomer Mike Lullo.

Shortly into the third round, Barboza defeated Lullo by TKO due to leg kicks (for the first time in UFC history).

Barboza faced Anthony Njokuani on March 19, 2011, at UFC 128, winning by unanimous decision.

Both fighters earned Fight of the Night honors.

Barboza defeated Ross Pearson at UFC 134 via split decision.

Both fighters earned Fight of the Night bonus honors.

Barboza faced Terry Etim on January 14, 2012, at UFC 142.

He defeated Etim by KO in the third round, becoming the first fighter in UFC history to finish an opponent via wheel kick.

The win earned Barboza his first Knockout of the Night and 'Fight of the Night'' bonus awards

Barboza was expected to face Evan Dunham on May 26, 2012, at UFC 146, but Dunham dropped out of the bout due to injury and was replaced by returning veteran Jamie Varner.

Barboza suffered his first professional MMA loss via Knockout in the first round.

Barboza was expected to face Justin Salas on January 19, 2013, at UFC on FX 7.

However, Salas was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by promotional newcomer Lucas Martins.

Barboza defeated Martins via TKO at 2:38 of the first round.

Barboza was scheduled to face John Makdessi on July 6, 2013, at UFC 162, but an injury forced Makdessi off the card and he was replaced by Rafaello Oliveira.

Barboza won the fight by TKO due to leg kicks in the second round.

Barboza faced Danny Castillo on December 14, 2013, at UFC on Fox 9.

After a dominant first round by Castillo, in which he nearly finished Barboza via strikes and then with a submission attempt, Barboza rallied back and won by majority decision.

Both fighters earned Fight of the Night honors.

Barboza faced Donald Cerrone on April 19, 2014, at UFC on Fox 11.

Despite finding early success with his striking, Barboza was knocked down by a jab and lost via submission at 3:15 of the first round.

Barboza faced Evan Dunham on July 16, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 45.

He won the fight via TKO in the first round.