Edson Barboza focused on UFC featherweight title, but open to lightweight trilogy vs. Paul Felder

Edson Barboza is locked in on his pursuit of the UFC featherweight championship, but he remains open to a detour for a specific fight in the lightweight division.

Last Saturday, the seasoned featherweight contender notched a significant victory over Sodiq Yusuff in an exhilarating Fight of the Night headliner at UFC Fight Night 230 held at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

This triumph forms part of Barboza’s ongoing campaign to earn a long-awaited shot at the title, which is why he hopes to face another ranked opponent to bolster his case.

“I want someone ahead of me in the rankings because my ultimate goal is to become a champion and I intend to ascend the ranks to earn my opportunity at a title shot in the future,” said Barboza in an interview with MMA Junkie. “All the challenges you mentioned, they will make for an incredible fight. The UFC always matches me against the best fighters in the world, and I am prepared for that. Let’s continue to climb together.”

Despite Barboza (23-11 MMA, 17-11 UFC) setting his sights on the featherweight championship, he is open to returning to the lightweight division for a trilogy bout against Paul Felder.

Felder retired in 2021 but has been hinting at a return to MMA. They currently own a 1-1 record against each other, having exchanged decision victories in 2015 and 2019.

“Maybe, if he can make 145 pounds, why not? Perhaps I move up to 155, who knows,” Barboza pondered. “I am a fighter. If you look at our previous two fights, they were extremely competitive. He is a skilled fighter, and those are the type of matchups I relish. He is a great fighter and a great person. A fight with him would undoubtedly be war, so anything is possible.”

For more information about the event, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 230.

Story originally appeared on MMA Junkie