Edson Barboza could be on his way out of the UFC.
Since 2010, the featherweight has had incredible bouts against Tony Ferguson, Justin Gaethje, and Paul Felder in the UFC. However, with the sport now having more options available for fighters competing in MMA, Barboza is open to different offers once his current deal ends. The 34-year-old spoke to MMA Fighting about his future with the company and revealed the news about being open to leaving the UFC:
“I have one more fight on my contract and I plan on doing this fight, and we’ll think about what we’ll do next after the contract is completed,” Barboza said. “I’m in the UFC for 10 years, I love fighting in the UFC, and everything I have today I’ve undoubtedly conquered with the UFC so I love being there, but I’m open to offers — after this fight, of course.
“The same way I’m anxious to my next fight, I’m also anxious to knowing what my next steps will be after the fight. I honestly don’t know really well what will happen, but I’ll wait for after this fight first and then see what my decisions are.”
The Brazilian is looking to get back inside the octagon at the company’s final show of the year on Dec. 19:
“Ortega will probably fight for the belt now,” Barboza said. “‘The Korean Zombie’ is coming off a loss to Ortega but he’s a great athlete. Kattar is No. 6 and is coming off wins, good fights, and that would be a great fight on the feet. Holloway is the No. 1, I don’t know if they would offer me that but it’s a great matchup, no doubt. It would be a great fight.”
“Zabit, we trained together in the past, he’s a great fighter, a nice guy,” he added. “We’re not that close but no doubt, with the utmost respect to him and that entire team, I’d take this fight. Like I said, anyone in the top-6, I’m in.”
We’ll find out in the coming weeks if Barboza gets his wish by fighting a top 6 contender on the Dec. 19 card. The featherweight is fresh off his win against Makwan Amirkhani and his professional record currently stands at 21 wins and 9 losses.