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Billy Quarantillo is still a fan of Edson Barboza—despite ending up on his highlight reel after UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Allen this past Saturday. Throughout his tenure, Barboza has garnered a reputation as one of the most dangerous fighters on the UFC roster. Watching his highlight reel was intimidating for Quarantillo, who came face-to-face with the iconic finishes of Shane Burgos, Beneil Dariush, and of course, Terry Etim ahead of their fight.
“It’s definitely intimidating watching his highlight reel, and it’s a highlight reel I’ve watched as a fan,” said Quarantillo at his media day on Wednesday. “Watching him just knock people out and cheering for that and being excited about an Edson Barboza fight. Watching him kick people, knee people, finish people in all these different ways.”
Though Quarantillo said he was expecting ‘everything’ in this fight, it ended in perhaps one of the most unexpected ways. As ‘Billy Q’ pressed forward and went for a takedown against the cage, Barboza responded with a knee to the chin that sent Quarantillo crashing to the canvas.
Edson Barboza and Billy Quarantillo ‘hug it out’ backstage
It was the type of highlight-reel finish that Barboza had given us over the years, and he said another one was on its way in his next fight.
“Guys, Edson Barboza is still alive,” said Barboza in his post-fight interview with Daniel Cormier. “Beware, you guys. I’m [in] the best shape of my life and I promise the next one is going to be much, much better, guys. I promise.”
Barboza and Quarantillo came face-to-face again after their fight. And this time, the pair exchanged pleasantries instead of punches (or knees in this instance).
“I’ve been enjoying watching your career,” said Quarantillo. To which Barboza responded with, “Thank you. I appreciate it, man. I’m too old.
“No, you’re still knocking out people,” replied Quarantillo. “Good s—t my brother.”
Quarantillo also remained in good spirits in his response to the loss.
“Back home in Tampa. Thanks everyone for the [messages],” tweeted Quarantillo. “Comeback journey starts now. Still plenty of chapters left in this story and I refuse to go out like that. Motivated beyond belief, next one will be the best one. [Thanks] for rocking with me.”
Edson Barboza wants a ranked opponent next
As he said in his post-fight interview, Barboza reiterated that he wanted to fight a ranked opponent. At this time, the Brazilian sits at No. 14, with names such as Dan Ige, Sodiq Yusuff and Movsar Evloev ahead of him in the official UFC rankings.
“I’ll fight anybody, anywhere,” said Barboza in his post-fight press conference. “I say yes for everybody. Especially if you want to fight me, I want to fight you. Like I said, I fight anybody anywhere. I hope the UFC gives me a chance to fight somebody in front of me in the rankings. Anybody in front of me in the rankings, I’m ready.”
For his first-round KO, Barboza was awarded a ‘Performance of the Night’ bonus.
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