Edson Barboza says Kevin Lee was physically stronger than Khabib

Edson Barboza has revealed that Kevin Lee, not Khabib Nurmagomedov, was the physically strongest opponent of his career, offering a candid look at two of the toughest fights in his lightweight run.

Barboza, now 40 years old and carrying a 24-14 professional record with American Top Team, made the admission in a recent interview. The Brazilian stands five-foot-eleven with a 75-inch reach and has long been regarded as one of the most dangerous strikers in the lightweight division, landing 4.14 significant strikes per minute across his career. He recalled being confident in his takedown defense heading into the Lee fight, only for Lee to simply pick him up and put him on the canvas regardless. The experience left a clear impression.

On the subject of Khabib Nurmagomedov, Barboza drew a sharp distinction. He described the undefeated Russian — who retired at 29-0 — as a fighter whose dominance came from technical mastery and anticipation rather than brute strength. According to Barboza, Nurmagomedov was consistently one step ahead in transitions, a quality that made him nearly impossible to manage. Barboza also disclosed that he entered the Khabib fight with only five weeks of preparation, having come off major shoulder and bicep surgery with no proper training camp in place.

Khabib, who stands five-foot-ten with a 70-inch reach, averaged 5.32 takedowns per 15 minutes during his unbeaten career, a volume that underlines the technical grappling pressure Barboza was describing.

Why it matters

• Barboza's account reframes how fighters and analysts assess Khabib's dominance, emphasizing intelligence over athleticism
• The surgery disclosure adds important context to how that lightweight bout unfolded
• The Kevin Lee comparison highlights how raw physical strength can be just as disruptive as refined technique at the elite level