UFC lightweight Edson Barboza calls out Nate Diaz, Jim Miller and Donald Cerrone
After going 3-0 in 2013, Edson Barboza believes he’s due for a big opportunity.
Barboza told MMAjunkie he’ll fight any top-10 opponent, but a trio of names stand out: Nate Diaz, Jim Miller and Donald Cerrone.
“It is my time, I need to fight those guys,†said Barboza (13-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) via translator.
Of those three, two are without current bookings, and of those, only one currently is in the UFC’s good graces.
Cerrone is set to fight Adriano Martins on Saturday at UFC on FOX 10. Then again, given his reported financial woes, he might be convinced to make a quick turnaround. The former WEC title challenger sits at No. 8 in the UFC’s official rankings and in the No. 13 spot in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA lightweight rankings
On both lists, Diaz is a more attractive candidate (No. 5 via the UFC and No. 8 via USA Today/MMAjunkie). But he might be held back by a recent turn of events in which he turned down a fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 170 when his demands for a new contract weren’t met. The move was not well received by UFC President Dana White.
That leaves Jim Miller, who on the surface is the most logical choice, if the least attractive by rankings. The veteran recently snapped an unofficial skid by submitting Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Fabricio Camoes at this past month’s UFC 168. In the UFC’s rankings, he sits at No. 9, while he takes the No. 12 spot on MMAjunkie’s list.
In case you were wondering, Barboza sits at No. 11 with the UFC and No. 14 with MMAjunkie. Of course, he is paying closer attention to his promoter’s rankings.
“I need the opportunity to fight against those guys,†Barboza said. “I am ranked No. 11, so the only guys who are above me are the top 10. I need to fight those guys to get to my goal which is getting that belt. I earned that opportunity.â€
In his most recent appearance, Barboza outpointed Danny Castillo at UFC on FOX 9, which capped off an impressive 2013 where he stopped Lucas Martins in the first round at UFC on FX 7 and pulverized Rafaello Oliveira’s leg en route to a TKO at UFC 162.
After four wins in his first four UFC outings, Barboza’s momentum was halted in mid-2012 by an upset loss to Jamie Varner at UFC 146.
With that setback in the rearview mirror, Barboza is focused on an active 2014 against top competition.
“I think those fights would be interesting because they are the best one in my division, and I feel I am part of the best ones as well,†he said. “So, I know if I fight one of those names, it would be a great show for the fans who will be watching those fights.â€
