KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Billy Quarantillo knows he’s in for a stern challenge against Edson Barboza at UFC on ESPN 44.
Quarantillo (17-4 MMA, 5-2 UFC) meets Barboza (22-11 MMA, 16-11 UFC) in Saturday’s co-main event at T-Mobile Center. The main card airs on ESPN following prelims on ESPN+.
Barboza has alternated wins and losses as of late but remains one of the most devastating knockout artists in the sport. From his 2012 wheel-kick knockout of Terry Etim, to his flying knee knockout of Beneil Dariush, to his one-punch finish of Shane Burgos, Quarantillo knows just how dangerous Barboza is.
“This is easily the toughest opponent I’ve ever fought. This is the biggest fight of my career,” Quarantillo told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s media day. “This fight has the potential to do the most for my career, get me to that next level, get me even bigger names down the road, that top-15 ranking. So obviously I’m super excited about this one.”
He continued, “It’s definitely intimidating watching his highlight reel, and it’s a highlight reel I’ve watched as a fan.”
Quarantillo has competed against some solid names such as Burgos and Alexander Hernandez at featherweight, but none with the name value and experience of Barboza.
“I think it’s going to put my name up there, more mainstream, with a lot more casual fans,” Quarantillo said. “Being the co-main event, if I can go out there and get a huge finish, it puts me into that next level of UFC fighter where – I always joke about, there’s like that row of UFC fighters, and they go by the row and it’s like, ‘I know this guy, this guy, this guy.’ Hopefully I can get invited to that row after this fight, and that’s where it puts me.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 44.
