Edson Mendes Barboza Júnior (born January 21, 1986) is a Brazilian and American professional mixed martial artist and former Muay Thai kickboxer.
As May 21, 2024, he is #15 in UFC featherweight rankings[12] Barboza comes from Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro.
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.
After a second successful title defense in Renaissance MMA, Barboza challenged for the Ring of Combat lightweight belt against Marcelo Guidici.
[15] Barboza's first title defense was originally scheduled for Ring of Combat 31, against Mikhail Malyutin,[16] but, due to his signing with the UFC, he was replaced by Luiz Azeredo.
[19] 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,[20] winning by unanimous decision.
He defeated Etim by KO in the third round, becoming the first fighter in UFC history to finish an opponent via wheel kick.
[24] The win earned Barboza his first Knockout of the Night and 'Fight of the Night bonus awards[25] Barboza was expected to face Evan Dunham on May 26, 2012, at UFC 146,[26] but Dunham dropped out of the bout due to injury and was replaced by returning veteran Jamie Varner.
[28] However, Salas was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by promotional newcomer Lucas Martins.
[34] 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.
[41] Barboza was expected to face Myles Jury on July 25, 2015, at UFC on Fox 16, replacing an injured Anthony Pettis.
[42] However, Jury himself had to pull out due to injury and was subsequently replaced by undefeated Paul Felder.
[44][45] UFC President Dana White gave Barboza and Felder high praise afterwards, calling the fight "incredible.
"[46] Barboza faced Tony Ferguson on December 11, 2015, at The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale, replacing an injured Khabib Nurmagomedov.
[49] After the loss to Ferguson, Barboza decided to move to New Jersey to train at Mark Henry's and Ricardo Almeida's MMA team.
[61] Barboza managed to connect with a spinning back kick and hurt Lee, but went onto lose via TKO due to doctor stoppage in round five.
[62] After losing two consecutive fights, Barboza decided to return to Florida and American Top Team.
[70] 13 out of 16 MMA media outlets scored the bout in favor of Barboza,[71] and subsequently the decision was appealed to be overturned.
[2] He was expected to face Josh Emmett in a featherweight bout on May 2, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs.
[84] He won the fight via knockout in the third round after Burgos experienced a delayed reaction to being knocked out with a right cross.