Edson Barboza reveals details of his retirement plans to his family: "I promised my wife and mother."

Edson Barboza reveals retirement details to his family. (Photo: Mike Roach/UFC)

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Respected UFC veteran Edson Barboza spoke frankly about his current career moment and plans for the future. About to step into the octagon to face Jalin Turner at UFC 323 this Saturday (6), in Las Vegas (USA), the Brazilian made it clear that he is not yet thinking about retirement, but has set personal limits to continue fighting at the highest level.

At 39 years old, the lightweight (up to 70,3 kg) fighter stated that he will only continue competing as long as he feels competitive and true to a promise made to his family: never to accept a fight solely for money.

In an interview with the American website MMA Junkie, Barboza revealed that the conversation about retirement exists, but it's not urgent. For him, the most important thing is to maintain his sporting dignity and respect the values ​​he holds outside the octagon.

“I’m not thinking about retirement right now, but I need to feel competitive. That’s one of my goals at the moment. I promised my wife and my mother that I would never step into the octagon for money. I still feel good,” the Brazilian stated.

Intense routine and unwavering passion for the sport.

Even after nearly four decades of life and more than a decade in the UFC, Barboza assures that the flame is still burning. According to him, the training routine remains intense, to the point of keeping up with, and even surpassing, the pace of the younger athletes at American Top Team, one of the leading academies in the world.

"Especially in training and at the gym... I train more than the young guys at American Top Team. I know I'm still competitive, I face the best in the world. That's why I keep training, trying to improve and fighting. I still love this sport," he concluded.

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Barboza is set for his 32nd fight in the UFC.

The fight against Jalin Turner will mark Edson Barboza 's 32nd appearance in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Signed in 2010, the Brazilian debuted with a victory over Mike Lullo, by technical knockout in the third round, at UFC 123, held in Michigan (USA).

Before joining the world's largest MMA organization, Barboza competed in events such as Real Fighting Championships, Renaissance MMA, and Ring of Combat, building a solid foundation to establish himself on the international stage.

In total, the Brazilian has 24 wins and 13 losses as a professional, with 18 victories achieved inside the UFC octagon. Regardless of the result at UFC 323, Barboza remains one of the longest-serving and most respected names in the organization's recent history. Check out the UFC 323 fight card below (subject to change).

UFC 323 fight schedule

MAIN CARD (From 00:00):

Bantamweight: Merab Dvalishvili x Petr Yan – Belt fight

Flyweight: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Joshua Van – Title fight

Flyweight: Brandon Moreno x Tatsuro Taira

Bantamweight: Henry Cejudo vs. Payton Talbott

Light heavyweight: Jan Blachowicz vs. Bogdan Guskov

PRELIMINARY CARD (Starting at 20 PM):

Middleweight: Marvin Vettori vs. Brunno Ferreira

Flyweight: Maycee Barber x Karine Silva

Lightweight: Fares Ziam x Nazim Sadykhov

Lightweight: Edson Barboza x Jalin Turner

Light heavyweight: Iwo Baraniewski vs. Ibo Aslan

Lightweight: Grant Dawson x Manuel Torres

Featherweight: Muhammad Naimov x Mairon Santos

Middleweight: Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Antonio Trócoli

Lightweight: Terrance McKinney x Chris Duncan

Johnny Walker opens up about his heavyweight debut at UFC 332.