Barboza remains at lightweight on Saturday at UFC 323 in Las Vegas against Jalin Turner in an intriguing fight. The winner of the fight could be close to the rankings, while the loser will likely become a gatekeeper.
Even though Barboza is 39 and will turn 40 in January, the Brazilian still believes he is a real contender. With that, he said, he will continue to fight as long as he feels competitive against the top of the division.
“I’m not thinking about retirement right now, but I need to feel competitive,” Barboza said said to MMAJunkie. “I think that’s one of my goals right now. I promised my wife and my mother that I would never get into the octagon for money. I still feel competitive, especially in training, especially in the gym. I train more than the young kids at American Top Team.”
“I know I’m still competitive. I’m still fighting the best guys in the world. That’s one reason why I keep training, trying to get better and fighting, because I still love this sport.”
Barboza enters his UFC 323 fight as a +240 underdog against Turner and is coming off back-to-back decision losses to Drakkar Klose and Lerone Murphy.
Edson Barboza expects a war against Jalin Turner at UFC 323
Even though Barboza is the underdog, he is confident he can get his hand raised.
The Brazilian expects a fan-friendly fight as the two will settle down and engage in a war no matter how long it lasts.
“It’s going to be a war like always, you know? The kind of fight that people love, that I love. It’s going to be a war,” Barboza said. “He’s a great fighter, a great striker, it will definitely be an exciting fight. I think he knows what’s best for him (Turner returning from retirement). If he wants to come back, good for him.”
“If he’s ready to come back and do this, I always pray all the best for him. I’m still excited. I’m still enjoying every second of it. Every time I step in the Octagon, not just the Octagon, but going to the gym, doing the diet and trying to do everything right. I still enjoy it and I still love the sport.”
Stay tuned to BJPENN.com all week and Saturday for all your UFC 323 fight coverage.
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