COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – When Edson Barboza and Paul Felder square off at UFC 242, fans should expect to see two different fighters than the pair who showed up for their July 2015 matchup.
At least according Barboza.
At a pre-fight media day at Barboza’s home base, American Top Team, the Brazilian remembered what he could from their first meeting. When Barboza (20-7 MMA, 14-7 UFC) and Felder (16-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC) first squared off, the Brazilian had garnered some recognition for his wins over the likes of Bobby Green and Evan Dunham.
When he took the fight on short notice, Felder had only scored two victories in the UFC. He was riding high off of a spinning backfist knockout of Danny Castillo, but the jury was out on how he’d do against an opponent of Barboza’s caliber.
As the fight progressed, Felder displayed his toughness. His grit in evidence during the opening minutes of the bout, when he absorbed a thunderous spinning back kick to the cup.
Barboza doesn’t remember much from their first meeting, but he couldn’t forget that moment
“I remember that kick,” Barboza told MMA Junkie. “It hurt my feet. First time, when I connect the kick, I was thinking, ‘The fight is over. He can’t come back. He can’t.’ I was so scared, but he came back. He showed heart and that he’s one of the best in the world.”
While he has sat down and watched tape of their first meeting, Barboza still questions how much he should read into it. In fight years, the bout might as well have taken place an eternity ago. Though he believes the rematch will serve as a fireworks display, Barboza sees evolution in both of their games.
“It was more important that I watched the last couple of fights because he’s a different guy right now,” Barboza said. “I’m a different guy, too. In four years, I’ve had the opportunity to fight against the best guys in the world.”
“I fought Khabib (Nurmagomedov). I fought (Tony) Ferguson. I fought Anthony Pettis and Gilbert Melendez. I’m a more experienced guy right now. I’m definitely much, much better.”
These days, “The Irish Dragon” hasn’t simply been competing in MMA. He frequently calls the action from the UFC commentary booth as well. Despite his opponent dabbling in multiple ventures, Barboza believes Felder is still as focused as ever on UFC gold.
“His No. 1 goal is to be a UFC champ, I believe,” Barboza said. “Like, my No. 1 goal is to be UFC champ. But yeah, he’s a great commentator. He understands the fight. He always comes very well, but a fight is a fight. It’s different.”
If either headliner Khabib Nurmagomedov or Dustin Poirier withdraws from their main event clash on the same card, the UFC won’t have to look far for a replacement. “Junior” Barboza said he would accept a short-notice headliner without hesitiation, though the 33-year-old lightweight said he has too much respect for both competitors to root for a dropout.
“I’m always ready,” Barboza said. “Call me to go outside and fight for the title. I’m ready. I make the weight right now. I’m ready … I’m a fighter and I really respect everybody. I really hope nothing goes wrong with everybody. I hope everybody makes weight and gives a good show. But you never know. I’ll be ready.”
Entering the fight with Felder, Barboza has three out of his last four outings. After dropping back-to-back fights to now-champion Nurmagomedov and Kevin Lee, Barboza brutalized Dan Hooker to a second-round stoppage in December. In his last outing in March, Barboza was knocked out in the first round by Justin Gaethje.
UFC 242 takes place Sept. 7 at The Arena at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FX and UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.
