Edson Barboza plans to fight ‘as soon as possible’ after bad losses to Lee and Khabib

In a span of four months, UFC lightweight contender Edson Barboza suffered two dominant beatings. The first one took place at UFC 219 in late December courtesy of Khabib Nurmagomedov and was followed by a fifth-round doctor stoppage loss to Kevin Lee in Atlantic City two weeks ago.

Yet, despite these disappointing setbacks, the 32-year-old Brazilian fighter has nothing in his mind but to move forward.

“My plan is to fight again as soon as possible. I love what I do and I’m still motivated and hungry to keep training and getting better,” Barboza told MMA Fighting. “I want to fight at least two times more this year.”

After his loss to Lee, Barboza dropped down two notches at the UFC official rankings to number six. But even so, he feels he is still part of the elite of the heavily stacked 155-pound division.

“I still am one of the best of the division,” Barboza claimed. “The division is jammed. I honestly don’t think much has changed. I gave a few steps back, away from my title shot, but I’m still close, I’m still at the top.”

“I honestly think I can beat anyone in my division,” he added. “I’m upset with this loss and every other loss I had because I know I could have defeated them all.

“What other people think doesn’t matter to me. I know I can beat anyone in this division.”

Barboza currently holds a record of 19-6, with 12 wins by stoppage.