UFC featherweight Edson Barboza experienced a raw moment at the media scrum heading into his co-main event bout at UFC Fight Night. Chiefly, the Brazilian was reduced to tears when he came across a video of his children wishing him luck. The heartfelt moment was a visceral watch and was a stark reminder of the sacrifices that come with the job.
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Barboza is a long-time UFC athlete and has become a staple in the eyes of fans over the years. Watching the stand-up specialist getting emotional over the message sent by his children was certainly an impactful moment. Not to mention, Edson is in a tough place as a professional and will need to make a statement performance.
"Kick ass!"
Edson Barboza is reduced to tears by a good luck message from his children ❤️#UFCFightIsland5 | Saturday | BT Sport 2 HD pic.twitter.com/cSs6AMsOgK
— UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) October 7, 2020
He faces off against Mr. Finland, Makwan Amirkhani in what will be his second fight at 145-pounds in the organization. The former lightweight contender, Barboza, was always the bridesmaid but never the bride during his stint at 155-pounds. Additionally, Amirkhani is a tough draw for Edson Barboza should the fight hit the canvas, especially coming off a loss.
UFC Fight Night: Edson Barboza vs Makwan Amirkhani
Edson Barboza has gone 5-1 in his last six outings and has suffered two stoppage losses and two split losses. Prior to facing off against Khabib Nurmagomedov back at UFC 219, he was on a three-fight win streak and on the verge of a title shot. However, his decline at lightweight all but forced a step down to 145-pounds.
What’s more, his first featherweight fight against Dan Ige was a thin split decision loss that many believed he won. Regardless of his recent performances, the 20-9 fighter remains a top-tier name and a dangerous outing for anyone.
Makwan Amirkhani will look to build his resume against the veteran and use the ‘Fight Island’ brand as a platform. He has gone 3-1 in his last four fights and is fresh off a slick Anaconda choke submission victory. Moreover, the SBG Ireland stand-out has the potential to be a massive star in the company and has a growing fan base.
His skill set on the ground is no joke either, and he’s slowly shaping up to be a major divisional player. The co-main event slot against a grizzly veteran serves as the perfect opportunity for Mr. Finland to make it big.