Have you ever been in a relationship with someone who tells you “I love you,” then proceeds to list all of your faults? That’s kind of where we’re at with the UFC on ESPN 2 five-round main event, going down this Sat. night (March 30, 2019) on ESPN from inside Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
It would seem top-ranked lightweight contender, Justin Gaethje, has nothing but love for fellow 155-pound title hopeful, Edson Barboza, as they prepare to throw down this weekend on “The Worldwide Leader in Sports,” but that won’t stop “The Highlight” from making the Brazilian quit.
“I love the dude, I love the way he fights, but I notice that he’s a quitter,” Gaethje said. “Two out of ten times he lands a big shot and knocks me out. Eight out of ten times I go out there and take it from him, take his soul and make him quit in front of everybody. I’m extremely confident I will break Edson Barboza and I’m extremely confident it will be super aggressive.”
Barboza (20-6) recently snapped a two-fight skid after dominating Dan Hooker at UFC on FOX 31 last December. The Brazilian bomber has garnered a reputation as one of the most vicious and technical strikers in mixed martial arts (MMA), which no doubt plays right into the gameplan of his opponent.
Gaethje (19-2) also got back on the winning track in his most recent outing by knocking out James Vick in just 87 seconds last August in Lincoln, Nebraska. As expected, “The Highlight” scored another $50,000 “Performance of the Night” check after making quick work of “The Texecutioner,” reestablishing his place among the 155-pound elite.
Don’t blink.
To see who else is fighting at UFC on ESPN 2 click here.