Edson Barboza reflects on the end of his career and declares: "Ten years ago, I would have killed those guys."

Edson Barboza focused before fighting in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube/UFC

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Owner of some of the most beautiful and memorable knockouts in MMA history, Edson Barboza hung up his gloves last Saturday (15), right after being knocked out by Esteban Ribovics at UFC 330. Days after the exciting ending, the now former fighter reflected on the limitations caused by age in an interview with 'MMA Fighting' this Friday (21).

Barboza, who turned 40 in 2026, suffered a series of four defeats before deciding to end his career. According to him, all of his former rivals would have been possible to overcome if he were younger.

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“Perhaps one of the reasons I'm retiring is the fact that, if I look at my last three fights, on paper, I think: 'Man, this fight is perfect for me.' They are opponents whose fighting style matches my game; it's all perfect. But Edson Barboza is no longer the same Edson Barboza he was 20 years ago. I'm a different person. I'm a different fighter today, at 40 years old and with limitations. Physically, I'm not the same as when I was 30. If they had given me these last three fights 10 years ago, my brother, I would have killed these guys,” he stated.

Edson Barboza is at peace with retirement after at #UFC330 :

"These guys are matchups that fit my game, everything is perfect. But Edson Barboza isn't the same Edson Barboza he was 20 years ago."

(🎥 @guicruzzz ) pic.twitter.com/juyr6VSdYA

— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) August 20, 2026

Edson Barboza showed no remorse.

Despite leaving the octagon defeated, the fighter from Rio de Janeiro stated that he remained ethical and professional during his preparations. Besides Ribovics, he was also defeated by Jalin Turner , Drakkar Klose , and Lerone Murphy.

“I’m sure my level was far superior to theirs. But the fights followed their natural course, man. I gave my best. What allows me to lay my head on the pillow and rest is knowing that I gave it my all. Win or lose, I gave my best in every fight; but especially in these last ones, I gave everything I had to try and win. It just didn’t happen,” he concluded.

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