Edson Barboza says Kevin Lee was physically stronger than Khabib

Edson Barboza has opened up about the toughest opponents of his career, naming Kevin Lee as the most physically imposing fighter he has faced — stronger even than Khabib Nurmagomedov. Barboza explained that while Khabib dominated through superior technique and was always a step ahead on the ground, Lee simply lifted him into the air and slammed him down, a display of raw power he had never encountered before. On his loss to Khabib, Barboza noted he had only five weeks to prepare after major shoulder and biceps surgery, saying he considers that performance a moral victory given the circumstances.