Edson Barboza says Kevin Lee was physically stronger than Khabib

Edson Barboza revealed that Kevin Lee, not Khabib Nurmagomedov, was the physically strongest opponent he ever faced, describing how Lee simply lifted and slammed him despite Barboza's confidence he wouldn't be taken down. Barboza credited Khabib's dominance to superior technique rather than raw strength, recalling how Nurmagomedov was always one step ahead with his grappling. Barboza also disclosed that he entered the Khabib fight with just five weeks of preparation following major shoulder and bicep surgery, having had no training sessions before the camp began. On his loss to Justin Gaethje, Barboza said he did not execute the game plan and was caught by a punch he never saw coming.