Edson Barboza expects ‘big war’ with Shane Burgos at UFC 262: ‘It makes me very excited’
HOUSTON – Edson Barboza knows exactly what he’s getting into on Saturday night.
The UFC veteran is set to fight rising featherweight contender Shane Burgos on the UFC 262 pay-per-view main card at Toyota Center. Barboza (21-9 MMA, 15-9 UFC) vs. Burgos (13-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) is a bout many are touting as a “Fight of the Night” candidate as it pits two of the most exciting strikers at 145 pounds.
The Brazilian would like to get in there and get a quick knockout victory, but he knows what Burgos brings to the table and is anticipating a back-and-forth battle.
“I want to go dominate for sure, but it’s going to be a big war,” Barboza said at UFC 262 media day on Wednesday. “Oh yeah, it’s going to be a big war. I’ve trained for 15 minutes back and forth, and it’s going to be exciting. I’m a fan. When this fight finishes, I want to go straight back to watch it because I know it’s going to be a fun fight for sure.”
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Barboza, 35, is one of the most seasoned fighters on the UFC roster. He’s been fighting for well over a decade and has shared the octagon with some of the world’s best, including former champions Khabib Nurmagomedov and Anthony Pettis.
Barboza, who trains out of American Top Team, has a great deal of respect for Burgos despite not having the pedigree of some of his previous opponents. Barboza is excited at the opportunity to share the cage with Burgos.
“Yes, of course, I think he’s No. 9 in the rankings, and he’s one of the best in the world,” Barboza said. “He’s a top 10. Every time he fights, he puts on a show, and I like to watch him because I know every time he fights he puts on a show. Just look at his last two fights, great fights. It makes me very excited like, ‘OK, you have to train. This guy is tough.’ I trained a lot, and I’m ready for this.”
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