Edson Barboza

UFC’s Most Dangerous Knockout Artists Right Now

There’s a whole lot of firepower on this Saturday’s UFC 295 card in New York City. Of course, that’s usually the case when there are heavyweights on the bill.…

4 Fights We Need to See After UFC Fight Night 230

UFC Fight Night 230 went down on Saturday night inside the promotion’s Las Vegas Apex facility, and while the event was largely drowned out by the noise of…

Paul Felder calls for trilogy rubber match with Edson Barboza in comeback after UFC Vegas 81 striking win

Expected to make a return to the Octagon and snap a three-year retirement in 2024, former lightweight contender, Paul Felder is clamoring for a trilogy rubber match with last night’s UFC Vegas 81 main event victor, Edson Barboza, according to desk analyst and welterweight contender, Michael Chiesa. Calling time on his storied mixed martial arts […]

Calling time on his storied mixed martial arts career back in 2020, Felder’s most recent Octagon came in the form of a short-notice clash with former undisputed lightweight champion, Rafael dos Anjos at the UFC Apex facility – suffering a one-sided split decision loss in his second consecutive headliner.

However, earlier this summer, the Philadelphia favorite, who turned 39 years old back in April, announced his return to the USADA testing pool – with the view to a potential slot on the upcoming UFC 300 card next year.

“I have no idea,’ Paul Felder said. “I rolled with Michael (Chiesa) today. Honest to God, it blew up on social. I’m back training, I’m enjoying MMA again.”

Michael Chiesa touts Paul Felder as interested in Edson Barboza trilogy

“For all the people that think I need a complete both hip replacements, I have bad hips there’s no secret about that. I’ve had bad hips for years, but I am back in the USADA testing pool. That’s exactly where I’m at now, but that is it. That is it. I did it just in case, I’m getting old and there might be some old dudes out there that might want to dust it up in six months. Other than that, I have no idea. I’m enjoying training.”

And taking in last night’s UFC Vegas 81 action away from the commentary booth, Roufusport staple, Felder, according to the above-mentioned, Chiesa, voiced an interest in rounding out his fight series with the aforenoted, Barboza in the form of a third fight, with both men sitting at one win apiece.

First colliding back in July 2015, Felder was struck with his first professional loss against Barboza, suffering a unanimous decision defeat to the Brazilian striking ace.

And in a rematch four years later at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi, Felder evened the score between the two, notching himself a close, split decision win over the Nova Friburgo native.

rallying in last night’s win at UFC Vegas 81, Barboza secured his second straight victory for the first time at the featherweight limit, turning in a unanimous decision win over Sodiq Yusuff in his fourth headlining bout under the promotion’s banner.

Would you like to see Paul Felder fight Edson Barboza in his return?

Edson Barboza rallies to land vintage decision win over Sodiq Yusuff with striking showcase – UFC Vegas 81 Highlights

Veteran striking favorite, Edson Barboza has landed his first main event victory under the UFC banner at the fourth time of trying — landing a unanimous decision win over Nigerian contender, Sodiq Yusuff in their featherweight headliner tonight at UFC Vegas 81, after a tense back-and-forth. Dealing with massive adversity in the opening round of […]

Dealing with massive adversity in the opening round of their main event showdown, Nova Friburgo native, Edson Barboza was almost stopped in the opening frame by Yusuff — who likely landed a 10-8 frame on judge’s and fan’s scorecards, dropping the Brazilian with a slew of strikes as part of a dominant and lengthy barrage.

Fresh from a stunning, highlight-reel flying knee knockout win over Billy Quarantillo in his most recent Octagon walk, American Top Team striker, Barboza would land some keen body strikes in the second round to steal the frame.

Almost closing the show in the final minute of the third round to boot, Barboza landed a whipping wheel kick, catching Yusuff at the fence and sending him to the canvas. Unable to wrapping up a front headlock choke submission, Barboza rode out the frame on top.

And in the fourth and frame frames, Barboza would land victories in each, even displaying his less than utilized grappling and wrestling work in the final round to take two takedowns over Yusuff, en route to a second straight victory inside the Octagon.

Below, catch the highlights from Edson Barboza’s win over Sodiq Yusuff at UFC Vegas 81

#UFCVegas81 Results: Edson Barboza def. Sodiq Yusuff by unanimous decision after an absolute WAR pic.twitter.com/i8juVjXuYE

— MMAWeekly (@MMAWeeklycom) October 15, 2023

The Real Winners and Losers From UFC Fight Night 230

UFC Fight Night 230 goes down today in the promotion’s Apex facility in Las Vegas, with an early 4:00 pm start time. There has not been a ton of chatter about…

Editorial – UFC Kansas City: What’s Next – 6 great fights to make after this weekend’s action in Missouri

UFC Kansas City was packed full of great fights, with some big, ranking-impacting results. Here are six fights to make after this weekend.

UFC Kansas City was Max Holloway’s night. ‘Blessed’ came out of this weekend’s affairs as the King of Kansas City. After a gruelling affair against Englishman, Arnold Allen, who was previously unbeaten in the UFC, the Hawaaian edged the contender on the scorecards. It should be noted, however, that it was far by less than ‘Blessed’s’ usual runaway victories. Some fans are even asserting that it is Allen who was the rightful winner, showing the competitive nature of the enthralling bout.

In this piece, we look at potential match-ups for some of the big winners, and unfortunate losers that fought this weekend.

UFC Kansas City post-fight matchmaking

Max Holloway

UFC Kansas City was a blessing in disguise for ‘Blessed’.

The former long-reigning king of the division showed that just because he can’t quite get the strap off of Alexander Volkanovski’s waist, that doesn’t make him anyone’s stepping stone. Arnold Allen gave him all that he could handle, but it was the vintage volume from Holloway that sealed his victory.

“Blessed” is now calling for a fight with ‘The Korean Zombie’ Chan-Sung Jung. This makes little sense rankings-wise, but with the losses to Volkanovski, Holloway has very little in the way of fresh opponents.

Allen is a better win than ‘The Korean Zombie’ these days, so this would be more fan service than anything else. What could be guaranteed is that the fight would be one for the ages. Former foe Volkanovski is calling for Holloway to make the move to lightweight, although his previous bout against Poirier at 155 may be discouraging.

Elsewhere, the winner of Josh Emmett vs Ilia Topuria could be another option, with the winner surely forcing Volkanovski to fight them.

Arnold Allen

The eight-year, ten-fight unbeaten streak inside the UFC has come to an end for Arnold Allen. He can hold his head high though, having had an extremely competitive fight against one of the very best fighters the division has ever seen.

Periods of low-volume striking probably cost the Englishman, who came on strong in the fifth round, but it was too little, too late. It showed many watching that although he may not be number one yet, Allen is most certainly in the top five featherweights in the company.

A rematch with Calvin Kattar would make sense, although he may be out til early 2024, with an injury from their original fight. In the meantime, Brian Ortega appears to be the logical choice. Ranked third and fourth respectively, this could headline, or co-main event the UFC Fight Night heading to London in July.

Edson Barboza is one of the deadliest strikers to ever grace the octagon, and once again at UFC Kansas City, it was the ever-lethal knees of the Brazillian that ended the bout. Looking as comfortable as he ever has, he peppered his opponent Billy Quarantillo with hard, stiff kicks. For the closing sequence, Barboza deployed a knee, with his back to the cage, and rendered “Billy Q” defenseless.

At 37, he is no spring chicken. He has fought most of the divisions elite, which often leaves just dangerous newcomers. Sodiq Yusuff is the name that makes the most sense. It would be an exciting match-up that would force Yusuff to sink or swim, and Barboza a chance to show, once again, that he is lethal to any fighter at 145lbs.

Ion Cutelaba

The UFC’s resident madman came out on top this weekend. Former heavyweight Tanner Boser felt the power of the Moldovan madman at UFC Kansas City as he broke a three-fight loss streak by way of knockout by way of TKO in the first round, using his fists frantically to pound Boser to the canvas.

Modestas Bukauskas makes sense and should be a fun affair between two of Europe’s premier 205-pounders. Bukauskas is currently on a three-fight win streak, with his most recent being over Tyson Pedro. The pairing makes sense, possibly on the UFC London card that is upcoming.

Pedro Munhoz

The foil for many an up-and-comer, Pedro Munhoz delivered once again this weekend, much to the disappointment of Chris Gutierrez. After dropping his opponent in the first round, Munhoz looked like the better fighter in the pairing. Despite his streaky form on the record books, Munhoz is still in the realms of the elite.

Umar Nurmagomedov would be interesting. The 16-0 prospect needs a test of this magnitude, and Munhoz is exactly the type of fighter to let us know what the young Russian is made of.

Bill Algeo

Bill Algeo gave a good account of himself in Kansas City, well at least inside the cage.

Having impressively submitted TJ Brown in the second round with a rear-naked choke, he unleashed his inner Colby Covington. After removing his gloves, and appearing to be about to retire, Algeo then cut a promo on the crowd in attendance at UFC Kansas City, stating :

“Listen, I would never retire in a dump like Kansas City,” Algeo told the crowd at T-Mobile Center. “I look around here and all I see is a bunch of Croc-wearing’, Uber Eats drivin’, Bud Light drinkin’ … sons of guns. I ain’t never retiring! Woo!”

Taking the WWE merger to heart, Algeo matches up well with recent 145lb debutant Jack Shore, in what would be a stiff test for both men.

Clay Guida looks to have his next bout lined up already, with Dana White reportedly unhappy at the old-timer’s fake retirement. Lucie Pudilová will be fighting the Kansas City judges, as some truly awful judging handed her an eighth professional loss.

Who do you think Max Holloway should take on next?