[autotag]Edson Barboza[/autotag] is finally back on the winning track after a solid effort against [autotag]Makwan Amirkhani[/autotag] on Saturday at UFC on ESPN+ 37.
Barboza (21-9 MMA, 15-9 UFC) snapped a three-fight losing streak with a complete performance against Amirkhani (16-5 MMA, 6-3 UFC), landing multiple knockdowns en route to a clear unanimous decision decision by scores of 30-26, 30-27 and 29-28
The featherweight bout was the UFC on ESPN+ 37 co-main event at Flash Forum on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. It streamed on ESPN+.
“I want to be a champ, I’m here to be a champ,” Barboza said in his post-fight interview with Dan Hardy. “Give me anybody in the top five, top six.”
[lawrence-related id=558393,558308]
Both men came out with a measured approach, tentative to commit to more than one strike at a time in the opening minutes. Barboza looked to connect on his patented low kicks and mixed punches to the body, while Amirkhani worked behind the jab. Amirkhani finally shot for a takedown with a little less than two minutes remaining, but Barboza easily stuffed it, as well as a clinch attempt that followed. Barboza landed a nice straight right, his best punch of the opening round, and Amirkhani answered with a successful takedown, but it came with under 10 seconds remaining.
Barboza opened with a nice right hand followed by a low kick, but Amirkhani was able to evade taking anything clean. Amirkhani’s output remained low, with his jab and lead uppercut the most effective weapons. Barboza countered by continuing to chip away at the body of Amirkhani before going upstairs with a straight right that floored his opponent. Barboza tried to get an anaconda choke on top, but Amirkhani was able to stray out of it and get back to his feet. He tried to take Barboza down and turn the table, but his advances were shut down. The Brazilian landed another huge right hand that floored Amirkhani again, and he went back to the anaconda choke. Again, though, he couldn’t finish before the end of the round.
Amirkhani came out desperate to turn the tide. He put pressure on Barboza, who used good footwork to stay away in the opening minute. Amirkhani was relentless, though, and finally put Barboza’s back on the mat. He established position within the guard, but Barboza wisely held on and did his best to avoid sudden shifts. He couldn’t do much, and the referee ultimately decided to stand them up late in the round. Barboza kept a good striking volume, closing the fight out strong.
With the win, Barboza got his hand raised for the first time since December 2018 and netted his first victory since dropping down to the featherweight division earlier this year.
Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN+ 37 results include:
- Edson Barboza def. Makwan Amirkhani via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27 29-28)
- Marcin Tybura def. Ben Rothwell via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
- Dricus Du Plessis def. Markus Perez via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 3:22
- Tom Aspinall def. Alan Baudot via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:35
- Ilia Topuria def. Youssef Zalal via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Tom Breese def. K.B. Bhullar via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:42
- Chris Daukaus def. Rodrigo Nascimento via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:45
- Joaquin Buckley def. Impa Kasanganay via knockout (spinning back kick to the face)
- Tony Kelley def. Ali Alqaisi via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Giga Chikadze def. Omar Morales via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Tracy Cortez def. Stephanie Egger via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Tagir Ulanbekov def. Bruno Silva via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
[vertical-gallery id=558032]
[vertical-gallery id=558030]