Edson Barboza has said that Kevin Lee, not Khabib Nurmagomedov, was the physically strongest opponent he ever faced, recalling how Lee simply lifted him off the ground and slammed him despite Barboza believing he could not be taken down. Barboza described Khabib as more technical than physically dominant, noting that the Dagestani was always one step ahead on the mat. He also revealed that he entered his Khabib fight with only five weeks of preparation while still recovering from shoulder and biceps surgery.
Edson Barboza has revealed that Kevin Lee — not the undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov — was the most physically imposing opponent he ever shared the octagon with, offering a candid look back at two of the toughest fights of his career.
Barboza recalled being caught off guard by Lee's raw strength, describing a moment when Lee simply lifted him off the mat and slammed him despite Barboza's confidence that he could not be taken down. The Brazilian veteran said the experience stood apart from anything else he had encountered inside the cage.
When reflecting on his bout with Khabib Nurmagomedov, Barboza drew a sharp distinction. The Russian, who retired with a perfect 29-0 record, was not necessarily the strongest man Barboza faced, but rather the most technically sophisticated. Khabib — who averaged an extraordinary 5.32 takedowns per 15 minutes throughout his career — was described as always being one step ahead on the ground, outsmarting rather than overpowering his opponents. Barboza also disclosed that he entered that fight severely underprepared, having had only five weeks to train while still recovering from shoulder and biceps surgery.
Why it matters
- Barboza's comments reframe how fans understand elite grappling — raw power and technical mastery are not the same quality, even at the highest level.
- The disclosure of a five-week camp following surgery adds important context to Barboza's performance against Khabib, one of the most dominant fighters in UFC history.
- Kevin Lee's physical tools, often underappreciated in retrospect, receive a notable endorsement from a seasoned, durable veteran who faced some of the sport's best.
