Healthy Edson Barboza ready to reenter UFC featherweight division's 'lion den'
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Edson Barboza wants most dangerous UFC featherweight after recovering
Edson Barboza talks to MMA Junkie's Mike Bohn at ATT Gym in Coconut Creek, Florida while recovering from injury.
COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – Edson Barboza is healthy and rearing to go once again.
Initially scheduled for a Feb. 22 battle vs. Steve Garcia, Barboza (24-12 MMA, 18-12 UFC) withdrew from the fight due to an undisclosed injury.
"Physically, I feel 100 percent," Barboza told MMA Junkie at American Top Team on Thursday. "I had an injury in my last fight on my eye. Thank God right now I'm clear. Let's go."
Garica did not receive a replacement opponent and has not been booked since. Could a rebooking be in store? Barboza says sure – but adds his response is always the same to every offer.
"I want to fight," Barboza said. "I don't care who the UFC always sends to me. Like I said, I want the fight. I never choose opponents. I'm ready to go. It doesn't matter what UFC says to me. I'm ready."
"... (Garcia) is a great fighter. He's on a five-fight winning streak. He's really good. It's going to be a fun fight. Everybody knows every time I step in the octagon, it's going to be a big war. Always when I step in there, I'm ready for war. I think a fight with Garcia, or if the UFC sends someone else, I'll be ready."
Barboza, 39, has been on the UFC roster since 2010. Despite never competing for a title, he's had one of the strongest strength of schedules in the promotion.
Even after all these years, Barboza seeks the toughest of the tough. The UFC featherweight division is full of animals – but Barboza deems himself one of them.
"I'm really excited to get back in there," Barboza said. "I love to stay in there with the lions. I know I'm one of the older lions, but I still bite, bro. Be ready."
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