UFC 142: Edson Barboza: "Martial Arts Is More Than Only a Job for Me"

Since a very young age, Edson Barboza has been living his life as a fighter.

“I used to be a hyperactive child, and the doctor said I should spend all my energy in some sport, but my parents didn't have any money to spend on any school to do a sport,” Barboza, 25, recently explained to Bleacher Report.

“I started doing a Muay Thai social project. This project was especially for needy children who (didn’t) have any money to spend. So, I started to do it when I was eight-years-old...I used to like to go there every Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights after school. I couldn't wait to do Muay Thai, and to be learning new punches and kicks.

“I think since the first time that I kicked on the bag I wanted to be a fighter.”

After more than a decade of training, Barboza made his professional kickboxing debut at the tender age of 18.

In the world of kickboxing, Barboza claimed victories in 28 of his 31 professional matches—including bouts on the biggest stage of the sport in his native Brazil—before ultimately trying his hand at mixed martial arts.

As a professional mixed martial artist, Barboza has proven to be a quick-study.

Barboza made his professional mixed martial arts debut in the summer of 2009 and subsequently won his first six matches en route to claiming the Ring of Combat promotion’s lightweight crown.

In the winter of 2010, Barboza, after only half-a-dozen professional matches, made his Octagon-debut—a third-round victory over Mike Lullo. Barboza has since claimed decision victories—both Fight of the Night performances—over Anthony Njokuani and Ross Pearson at UFC 128 and UFC 134, respectively.

Despite the fact that Barboza has picked up a number of wins—and a number of pay cheques along the way—it isn’t his record or his growing bank account that has kept his passion for the sport burning.

“Martial arts is more than only a job for me,” Barboza offered. “It means my love, it means my livelihood, it means my daily challenge, and it means that God gave me the opportunity to do what I love.”

Barboza is now in the final stages of preparing for his match against Terry Etim at UFC 142 on January 14^th in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Looking past his upcoming match, Barboza—who isn’t sure what he wants to do when his fighting days are behind him—hopes he can continue living his life as a fighter for the foreseeable future.

“I am professional fighter; I want to stay fighting against the best ones,” Barboza explained. “I want to do my job step-by-step...I want to fight as much as I can.

“I feel like I'm blessed for all I have had, but I know I must do a lot more than that to make my next dreams come true.”