Edson Barboza says Kevin Lee was physically stronger than Khabib

Edson Barboza revealed that Kevin Lee — not Khabib Nurmagomedov — was the strongest opponent he ever faced, recalling that Lee simply picked him up and slammed him despite Barboza believing he could not be taken down. Barboza said Khabib's dominance came from technical mastery rather than raw power, noting that Nurmagomedov was always one step ahead in transitions. Barboza also disclosed he entered the Khabib fight with only five weeks of preparation following major shoulder and bicep surgery, with no prior training camp.