With one powerful spinning hook kick, Edson Barboza put an exclamation point on his victory over Terry Etim at UFC 142.
Barboza was in control throughout the fight, but he was eagerly searching for his first knockout win since November 2010. He got what he was looking for midway through the third round.
A worn down Etim dropped his hands and Barboza was quick to capitalize. The lightning-quick Brazilian unleashed a vicious spinning hook kick, firmly planting his heel on Etim’s cheek.
With the victory, Barboza improved to 10-0 and proved that he deserves more high-profile fights. According to Fight Matrix, the 25-year-old phenom is only the 53rd-ranked lightweight in mixed martial arts. After his performance on Saturday, you can expect him to skyrocket up those rankings.
Barboza is a 5’11”, 155-pound fighter with a purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and a black belt in Muay Thai. His Muay Thai background was evident in his fight with Etim, as he ripped off several brutal leg kicks to zap the energy of his opponent.
Barboza is still a little raw, but he possesses every tool necessary to become a superstar in the UFC. After destroying Etim at UFC 142, he took a big step in the right direction.
Barboza was clearly the better fighter on Saturday and Dana White should do him a favor by making sure he gets paired with higher-profile fighters in the future.
Over the next few years, Barboza will rise from talented prospect to legit contender. The UFC just has to give him a chance first.
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