Edson Barboza revealed that Kevin Lee, not Khabib Nurmagomedov, was the physically strongest opponent he ever faced, recalling how Lee simply lifted and slammed him despite Barboza believing the takedown wouldn't land. Barboza praised Khabib's technical brilliance, saying the Dagestani always stayed one step ahead in grappling exchanges, but noted Khabib did not hit particularly hard. He also reflected on his loss to Justin Gaethje, attributing it to a failure to execute his game plan rather than exceptional punching power, and shared that he entered his Khabib fight with just five weeks of preparation following major shoulder surgery.
Edson Barboza has revealed that Kevin Lee, not the undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov, was the most physically imposing opponent he ever shared a cage with, offering candid reflections on some of the defining fights of his career.
Barboza, now 40 years old and carrying a 24-14 professional record, is a veteran Brazilian lightweight who has competed against some of the division's all-time greats during his run with American Top Team. A rangy striker standing five-foot-eleven with a 75-inch reach, he has averaged more than four significant strikes landed per minute across his career. Speaking in a recent interview, he recalled a specific moment against Lee where he was simply picked up and slammed to the canvas, something he had not anticipated. Despite his confidence that the takedown would not be completed, Lee's raw physical strength proved otherwise.
When the conversation turned to Khabib Nurmagomedov, Barboza drew a clear distinction between brute force and technical mastery. He praised the Dagestani's grappling intelligence, describing him as someone who always seemed one step ahead in exchanges, while also noting that Khabib did not carry exceptional punching power. Khabib, who retired with a perfect 29-0 record and built his legacy on relentless pressure and a staggering 5.32 takedowns per 15 minutes, is widely regarded as the greatest lightweight in the sport's history. Adding important context, Barboza disclosed that he entered that fight with only five weeks of preparation after undergoing major shoulder surgery.
On his stoppage loss to current lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, who holds a 28-5 record and lands strikes at a remarkable 6.48 per minute with 58 percent accuracy, Barboza placed the blame on his own inability to execute a game plan rather than on any unusual punching power from Gaethje.
Why it matters
- Barboza's account adds rare firsthand perspective on what it is like to face Khabib and separates grappling technique from physical strength at the elite level
- His disclosure of a five-week camp after shoulder surgery reframes how his performance against Khabib should be evaluated
- The comments on Gaethje, the reigning lightweight champion, keep attention on the 155-pound division's most prominent names
