UFC knockout artist Edson Barboza has called for a fight against Max Holloway for the BMF title and given his highlight reel, it’s hard to argue against him.
The UFC’s promotional BMF title has been competed for by five of the most notoriously violent men in the entire sport, which as the name suggests, implies that only a certain caliber of fighter is deserving of a chance to get their hands on the silver-plated strap.
Yet out of all the hundreds of potential BMFs that Max Holloway could one day defend his title against, it’s hard to argue that Edson ‘Junior’ Barboza doesn’t deserve that hold that infamous moniker too.
Edson Barboza returns to action this weekend in the main event
Fan favorite UFC veteran Edson Barboza returns to action on Saturday, May 18 in the main event of UFC Fight Night 241 against undefeated English contender Lerone Murphy.
Since signing with the UFC in 2019, Murphy has won five bouts and drawn one, including impressive wins over Ricardo Ramos, Makwan Amirkhani, and Josh Culibao in his most recent bout.
Yet the experience will certainly be on the side of Barboza, who is set to make his 30th walk to the UFC octagon this weekend, having bounced back from two consecutive defeats with a first-round KO of Billy Quarantillo and a UD victory over Sodiq Yussuf in his last fight.
Edson Barboza calls for a shot at Max Holloway’s BMF title
Speaking at the pre-fight press conference ahead of his main event clash against Lerone Murphy, Edson Barboza was asked how he would like to end his career and at 38 years old, the Brazilian noted that he’d love to bow out with the BMF belt over his shoulder.
Not only did Barboza call for a shot at Max Holloway, the current BMF title holder, but he also explained that given both his iconic highlight reel knockouts and resume of top-tier talent across an entire decade, a chance to face ‘Blessed’ is entirely justified.
“If one guy deserves to fight for the BMF title, it’s me – because who has better highlight knockouts than me?”
“Bro, imagine. I love Max Holloway, he’s one of my favorite fighters ever, I love to watch him, he’s a very nice guy, very family [oriented] guy… But imagine a fight me against him for the BMF belt.”
Incredibly, despite having a combined 58 fights in the promotion in and around the same weight classes, Barboza and Holloway have never crossed paths in the octagon.
“It’s going to be very, very good for me and him and the company,” said the 24-11 veteran, before reiterating, “Like I said man, my next fight is going to be my 30th fight in the UFC, [but] I think I deserve that [BMF shot].”
The Brazilian striker is also just one post-fight bonus away from tying Max Holloway’s record; Barboza has nine FOTN, one KO of the night, and two POTN, whilst Holloway has seven FOTN, one KO of the night, and five POTN bonuses.
“Bro, like I said I love him, I love to watch the whole fight, he showed heart, he’s a great striker, he’s definitely one of my favorite fighters ever to watch, he is one of the best ever and it’s going to be a pleasure to share the octagon with him.”
Barboza has to get through ‘The Miracle’ before he can be ‘Blessed’
If Barboza is to one day earn himself a fight against Holloway for the BMF title, he must first get through this weekend’s incredibly tough matchup against Lerone Murphy.
“He’s a really good fighter, he’s only had six fights in the UFC, but he’s shown that he’s one of the best,” noted the Brazilian, later adding how the UFC doesn’t give main event spots away on a whim:
“Of course, the UFC doesn’t give him a chance to fight the main event because he’s a nice guy, he’s in the main event because it’s what he deserved, he’s really [that] good… It’s going to be a war, like always. Everyone knows that every time I step into the octagon, I’m ready for war and I think Saturday is not going to be different.”
The undefeated Englishman is tinkering on the edge of the Top 15 of the featherweight division, with Barboza currently occupying the #12 ranked spot, yet will be fighting five rounds for the first time in the UFC.
Speaking via AllStar Sport, Murphy acknowledged that the main event spot is a challenge he’s going to rise to, “I’ve never done five rounds before but that’s the test right.”
“For me it’s like, I feel like going five [rounds] is the real test- we’ve done some good training getting through the mental battles and then going into the fourth and fifth, that’s where you see what you’re made of.”
Edson Barboza takes on Lerone Murphy on Saturday, May 18 from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.