Two of the most explosive lightweight strikers in the world today will collide for a second time this summer as Paul Felder and Edson Barboza square off at UFC 242 on Sept. 7 from Abu Dhabi, per a recent report by MMA Junkie.
Remember, Barboza and Felder first met back at UFC on FOX 16 nearly four years ago. While “Junior” ended up edging out Felder to the tune of a unanimous decision, the two lightweights produced a high-octane Fight of the Night showdown.
Felder, 35, recently rebounded from a loss to Mike Perry at welterweight when he defeated lightweight contender James Vick this past February. The talented lightweight striker hasn’t lost at 155 pounds since a doctor’s stoppage against Francisco Trinaldo back in 2016 and has looked better than ever in his last few Octagon appearances. Felder is hoping to create even more momentum entering the final months of 2019 as he tries to push his way towards title contention in the jam-packed lightweight division.
Barboza, 33, has struggled over the past two years with an Octagon record of 1-3, including a recent first-round knockout at the hands of divisional bruiser Justin Gaethje. The Brazilian veteran has always struggled to get over the hump at 155 pounds and desperately needs a win over Felder to right the ship entering 2020. If Barboza is unable to get past “Irish Dragon” like he did back in 2015 then maybe it’s time to consider him a contender of the past.
UFC 242 will be headlined by a lightweight championship bout pitting current king Khabib Nurmagomedov against interim titleholder Dustin Poirier.
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