Edson Barboza is a Brazilian-American professional mixed martial artist and one of the most recognizable strikers in UFC history.
Nicknamed “Junior,” Barboza has spent more than 15 years competing against elite UFC opposition while building a reputation for devastating leg kicks, spinning attacks, flying knees and some of the most memorable knockouts the promotion has ever seen.
The former professional Muay Thai fighter currently holds an MMA record of 24-14 and is scheduled to face Esteban Ribovics at UFC 330.
Edson Barboza Fighter Information
| Stats | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Edson Mendes Barboza Júnior |
| Nickname | Junior |
| Born | January 21, 1986 |
| Birthplace | Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Nationality | Brazilian-American |
| Height | 5’11” / approx. 180-181 cm |
| Reach | 75″ / approx. 190-191 cm |
| Division | Lightweight |
| Record | 24-14-0 |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Martial Arts Background | Muay Thai, Taekwondo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
| Fighting Style | Muay Thai / Kickboxing |
| Team/Gym | American Top Team |
| Muay Thai Coach | Anderson França |
| Boxing Coach | Gabriel Oliveira |
| BJJ Coach | Marcos da Matta |
| @edsonbarbozajr |
What Is Edson Barboza Known For?
Barboza is best known for having one of the most dangerous kicking games MMA has ever seen.
His attacks include brutal low kicks, body kicks, switch kicks, spinning techniques and flying knees.
He has repeatedly finished opponents using strikes that are rarely seen at the highest level of MMA.
The Brazilian became especially famous after knocking out Terry Etim with a spinning wheel kick at UFC 142 in 2012.
It remains one of the most recognizable knockouts in UFC history.
That performance was also historic.
Barboza became the first fighter in UFC history to score a knockout with a wheel kick.
Where Was Edson Barboza Born?
Edson Mendes Barboza Júnior was born on January 21, 1986, in Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
His story began under difficult circumstances.
Barboza was born prematurely at only 28 weeks and was reportedly given a 50% chance of surviving infancy.
He went on to begin training in Muay Thai at just eight years old.
That childhood introduction to striking eventually became the foundation of a career that would take him from Brazilian Muay Thai competition to the UFC.
How Did He Become a Fighter?
Barboza spent years developing as a Muay Thai fighter before transitioning fully into mixed martial arts.
His professional Muay Thai record is listed at 25-3, with 22 victories by knockout.
Seventeen of those knockouts came in the first round.
He moved to the United States in January 2009 and made his professional MMA debut several months later.
Barboza quickly established himself as a dangerous prospect.
He won his first six professional MMA fights before entering the UFC in 2010.
What Is Edson Barboza’s Fighting Style?
Barboza is fundamentally a Muay Thai and kickboxing-based striker.
His speed and kicking technique have separated him from many other UFC fighters throughout his career.
Instead of using kicks simply to score points, Barboza throws them with genuine finishing intent.
His leg kicks can dramatically change the movement of an opponent, while his body and head kicks give fighters several different attacks to worry about.
He is also exceptionally dangerous with spinning techniques and knees.
Barboza lands approximately 4.14 significant strikes per minute and has recorded numerous knockdowns during his UFC career.
His takedown defense has also historically been an important part of his ability to keep fights standing.
Why Are Edson Barboza’s Leg Kicks So Famous?
Few fighters are as closely associated with leg kicks as Barboza.
His kicks combine speed, timing and power, allowing him to damage an opponent’s mobility very quickly.
His UFC debut against Mike Lullo became historic when Barboza finished him with leg kicks.
It was the first leg-kick TKO in UFC history.
He later stopped Rafaello Oliveira with leg kicks as well.
That made Barboza one of the rare UFC fighters to record multiple finishes using low kicks.
His ability to attack every level also makes those kicks harder to anticipate.
An opponent preparing for a low kick can suddenly find Barboza attacking the body or head instead.
What Was Edson Barboza’s Famous Wheel Kick Knockout?
One moment has followed Barboza throughout his career.
At UFC 142 in January 2012, he faced Terry Etim in Rio de Janeiro.
During the third round, Barboza landed a perfectly timed spinning wheel kick to the head, knocking Etim unconscious.
The finish immediately became one of the most celebrated knockouts in UFC history.
It earned Barboza Knockout of the Night and Fight of the Night honors.
The finish was later recognized as one of the best knockouts of 2012 and established Barboza as one of MMA’s most spectacular strikers.
What Martial Arts Belts Does He Hold?
Barboza has a deep martial arts background beyond simply being known as a UFC striker.
He holds a black prajied in Muay Thai under Anderson França.
He is also a black belt in Taekwondo.
In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Barboza holds a brown belt.
Those credentials help explain the variety of techniques he has shown throughout his MMA career.
Although striking remains his biggest weapon, his overall martial arts experience extends well beyond kickboxing.
Where Does Edson Barboza Train?
Barboza has trained with several respected teams during his career.
He is most closely associated in recent years with American Top Team in Florida.
His coaching team has included Muay Thai coach Anderson França, boxing coach Gabriel Oliveira and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach Marcos da Matta.
Earlier in his career, Barboza also worked with Ricardo Almeida and boxing coach Mark Henry.
That combination of striking and grappling coaching helped him compete at UFC level for well over a decade.
What Are His Biggest UFC Wins?
Barboza has fought an unusually long list of elite opponents.
One of his signature victories came against Beneil Dariush in 2017.
Barboza timed Dariush moving forward and landed a devastating flying knee that ended the fight in the second round.
He has also defeated former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis, former Strikeforce champion Gilbert Melendez, Dan Hooker, Paul Felder, Shane Burgos and Sodiq Yusuff.
Another memorable finish came against Billy Quarantillo in 2023.
Barboza knocked him out with a knee in the opening round and earned a Performance of the Night bonus.
How Many UFC Bonuses Has He Won?
Barboza has collected a remarkable number of UFC performance bonuses during his career.
He has earned 10 Fight of the Night bonuses, putting him among the all-time leaders in UFC history.
He has also received Performance of the Night and Knockout of the Night awards.
His fights against opponents such as Tony Ferguson, Justin Gaethje, Shane Burgos, Sodiq Yusuff and Lerone Murphy have all earned Fight of the Night recognition.
That history is part of why Barboza has remained a fan favorite even through wins and losses.
What Is Edson Barboza’s MMA Record?
Barboza holds a professional MMA record of 24 wins and 14 losses.
His victories include:
- 14 wins by knockout or TKO
- 1 submission victory
- 9 decision victories
His knockout total reflects what has defined his career.
More than half of his professional victories have come by strikes.
Did Edson Barboza Fight at Featherweight?
Yes.
Barboza spent the first major portion of his UFC career competing at lightweight before moving down to the featherweight division in 2020.
He remained at featherweight for several years and picked up wins over Makwan Amirkhani, Shane Burgos, Billy Quarantillo and Sodiq Yusuff.
In 2025, Barboza moved back to lightweight.
His return added another chapter to a career that has stretched across multiple generations of UFC fighters.
Has Edson Barboza Ever Been a Champion?
Barboza has never won a UFC championship, but he held titles before joining the promotion.
He became a Renaissance MMA Lightweight Champion and successfully defended the belt.
He later won the Ring of Combat Lightweight Championship before signing with the UFC.
His achievements inside the UFC have instead centered around longevity, finishes, bonuses and several promotion records.
Who Has Edson Barboza Fought in the UFC?
The list of opponents Barboza has faced shows just how long he has competed at the highest level.
His UFC career has included fights against:
Khabib Nurmagomedov, Tony Ferguson, Justin Gaethje, Donald Cerrone, Anthony Pettis, Gilbert Melendez, Beneil Dariush, Dan Hooker, Paul Felder, Kevin Lee, Bryce Mitchell, Giga Chikadze, Shane Burgos, Sodiq Yusuff and Lerone Murphy.
Very few active fighters have competed against that many different generations of elite UFC talent.
Who Is Edson Barboza Fighting Next?
Barboza is scheduled to face Esteban Ribovics at UFC 330 on August 15, 2026.
The event takes place at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
The matchup comes after a difficult stretch in which Barboza suffered losses to Lerone Murphy, Drakkar Klose and Jalin Turner.
It gives the veteran another opportunity to show that his dangerous striking remains a threat in the UFC lightweight division.
Why Is Edson Barboza’s Career Unique?
Longevity alone makes Barboza’s UFC career remarkable.
He made his UFC debut in November 2010.
More than 15 years later, he is still competing inside the Octagon.
But longevity is only part of the story.
Barboza has produced the first wheel-kick knockout in UFC history, the first UFC finish by leg kicks, spectacular flying-knee knockouts and numerous Fight of the Night performances.
He has fought contenders and champions across two divisions while remaining one of the most feared kickers in MMA.
For an entire generation of fans, the name Edson Barboza has become almost synonymous with devastating kicks.
Edson Barboza FAQs
Who is Edson Barboza?
Edson Barboza is a Brazilian-American professional MMA fighter and former Muay Thai competitor who fights in the UFC lightweight division.
What is Edson Barboza’s full name?
His full name is Edson Mendes Barboza Júnior.
What is Edson Barboza’s nickname?
His nickname is “Junior.”
When was Edson Barboza born?
He was born on January 21, 1986.
Where was Edson Barboza born?
He was born in Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
What is Edson Barboza’s record?
He has a professional MMA record of 24-14-0.
How tall is Edson Barboza?
Barboza is approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall.
What is Edson Barboza’s reach?
His reach is approximately 75 inches, or around 190-191 cm.
What is Edson Barboza’s fighting style?
Barboza is primarily a Muay Thai and kickboxing-based striker known for powerful kicks, knees and spinning attacks.
Is Edson Barboza a black belt?
He holds a black prajied in Muay Thai, a black belt in Taekwondo and a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Where does Edson Barboza train?
Barboza trains with American Top Team in Florida.
What is Edson Barboza’s most famous knockout?
His most famous finish is the spinning wheel-kick knockout of Terry Etim at UFC 142 in 2012.
Was Edson Barboza’s wheel kick the first in UFC history?
Yes. Barboza became the first fighter in UFC history to score a knockout with a wheel kick when he defeated Terry Etim.
Has Edson Barboza fought at featherweight?
Yes. He competed at featherweight from 2020 through 2024 before returning to lightweight.
Who is Edson Barboza fighting next?
He is scheduled to face Esteban Ribovics at UFC 330 on August 15, 2026.
