Edson Barboza asks for victory bonus after controversial decision against Dan Ige last Saturday

E. Barboza (photo) asks for victory bonus after controversial result against D. Ige. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @edsonbarbozajr

After suffering yet another controversial defeat in the judges' decision, the Brazilian Edson Barboza made a request to Ultimate. The athlete requested that the organization pay him the 'winner' purse since, for many, including UFC president, Dana White, they stated that the athlete was unfairly treated in the confrontation against Dan Ige, held last Saturday (16), in Jacksonville (USA).

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“I didn't talk to Dana (White) or the UFC people, but, behind the scenes, everyone said I won. I think a very important thing for me, now, honestly, as Dana said I won the fight, the company said I won. How do they say I won? It's paying me. This shows respect. The UFC is different from the judges. It has nothing to do with one another, but if they want to show me a little respect, just pay me. As the UFC president said that I won the fight, the people inside know that I won the fight, so the right thing to do is pay me. In the other fight (against Paul felder, in November 2019), around 80% said I won, but that was now almost unanimous. I know I won both that one and that one”, said the Brazilian in an interview with 'Combate'.

To make sure he wasn't committing an injustice by asking for the winner's purse, Edson stated that he reviewed the confrontation. After analyzing all three rounds, the Friborg native maintained his thoughts and confirmed his version, that he was superior to the North American.

“I watched the fight yesterday. At first it's very bad. I was feeling really bad, because we spend a lot of time doing this, to get there and do a good job. It's a kind of strange feeling, at the same time I'm happy to have done my job, I know I won, everyone saw that I won, but at the same time I lost. I must have been calloused, because this is the second time this has happened, but it hurts just the same”, concluded Barboza.

In addition to the setback, Edson lost the chance to enter the division rankings once and for all. Opponent of the Brazilian in UFC Overeem vs. Harris, Ige is currently in 15th position in the group led by Alexander Volkanovsky. A triumph last weekend would guarantee the Friborg native's presence in the division's elite.