LAS VEGAS – Having fought a who’s who of opponents throughout his career, UFC 272 is just another fight for Edson Barboza.
Barboza (22-10 MMA, 16-10 UFC) meets unbeaten rising standout Bryce Mitchell (14-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) on Saturday’s main card, and while it’s an opportunity for him to halt a highly touted prospect, Barboza is just looking to put on a show like he always does.
“I don’t need to prove nothing for nobody anymore,” Barboza told reporters at Wednesday’s UFC 272 media day. “I was in the UFC for a long time. Bro, I fought against everybody or whoever the UFC gave me – I fought. I always make weight. I always do everything right, and I don’t need to prove nothing. It’s one more fight. I want to get my ‘W.’ I want to give my best like always, and that’s it.”
Barboza recalls being an unbeaten fighter on the rise himself when he scored one of the greatest knockouts in UFC history against Terry Etim a decade ago. But to still be on this level competing against top-caliber fighters has given the Brazilian a sense of pride.
“He’s a great fighter. He’s undefeated,” Barboza said of Mitchell. “He’s young, hungry. It’s motivating me a lot because like I said, I was in the UFC for a long, long time and still have an opportunity to fight against the best guys in the world – and that’s making me very, very happy.”
UFC 272 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.
