Edson Barboza Biography – Age, Career, Family & Net Worth

Edson Barboza Biography – Edson Barboza is a Brazilian-American mixed martial artist. He is known for his strong Muay Thai and kickboxing skills. He was born on 21 January 1986.

He has been praised as one of the best kickers in MMA. Before starting his professional MMA career, Barboza had a successful Muay Thai career.

He won 25 professional Muay Thai fights between 2005 and 2009. His powerful kicking style later became an important part of his MMA career.

Edson Barboza Biography
Edson Barboza Biography

Edson Barboza Biography

Edson Barboza is a Brazilian-American former professional mixed martial artist. He was born on January 21, 1986.

Barboza competed in mixed martial arts, Muay Thai, and kickboxing. He mainly fought in the Lightweight and Featherweight divisions of the UFC.

He also won the Ring of Combat Lightweight Championship. Barboza later became the Renaissance MMA Lightweight Champion.

DetailInformation
Full NameEdson Barboza Jr.
Date of BirthJanuary 21, 1986
BirthplaceNova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
NationalityBrazilian-American
ProfessionFormer MMA Fighter
Fighting SportsMMA, Muay Thai, Kickboxing
Main UFC DivisionsLightweight, Featherweight
Known ForPowerful Kicks
Muay Thai Record25 Wins, 3 Losses
UFC DebutNovember 2010
UFC AchievementsMultiple Fight of the Night and Performance Bonuses

Edson Barboza Family

Edson Barboza Biography
Edson Barboza Biography

Edson Barboza Jr. is the son of Edson Barboza Sr. and Leila Barboza. He was born 28 weeks early. His parents were unsure if he would survive.

Edson grew up to become a strong and successful athlete. He started competing in Muay Thai when he was eight years old.

He later became well known for his Muay Thai skills in Brazil. Edson Barboza is married to Bruna Barboza. The couple has been together since 2004.

They have two children. Their daughter is named Victoria. Their son is named Noah.

DetailInformation
FatherEdson Barboza Sr.
MotherLeila Barboza
WifeBruna Barboza
Children2
DaughterVictoria
SonNoah
MarriageMarried to Bruna since 2004
Birth ConditionBorn 28 weeks premature

Edson Barboza Career

Edson Barboza grew up in Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He was born prematurely at 28 weeks. Doctors gave him a 50/50 chance of surviving infancy.

Barboza started practicing Muay Thai when he was eight years old. He later became a professional Muay Thai fighter.

His professional Muay Thai record was 25 wins and 3 losses. He won 22 of those fights by knockout. Barboza moved to the United States in January 2009.

Barboza began his professional MMA career in April 2009. He defeated Aaron Steadman by first-round TKO. He later joined Renaissance MMA.

He defeated Lee King by second-round knockout and won the lightweight title. Barboza successfully defended the title against King.

He then joined Ring of Combat. He defeated Nabih Barakat by first-round knockout. Barboza later won the Ring of Combat Lightweight Championship.

He defeated Marcelo Guidici by first-round TKO using leg kicks. Barboza made his UFC debut in November 2010.

He defeated Mike Lullo by third-round TKO.The win came through leg kicks and made UFC history. He later defeated Anthony Njokuani by unanimous decision.

Both fighters received Fight of the Night honors. In 2012, Barboza faced Terry Etim at UFC 142. He won by third-round knockout with a wheel kick.

He became the first UFC fighter to finish an opponent with a wheel kick. The victory earned him Knockout of the Night and Fight of the Night bonuses.

Barboza continued to compete against many top UFC fighters. He defeated Lucas Martins by first-round TKO in 2013.

He later faced Donald Cerrone but lost by submission. In 2016, Barboza defeated Anthony Pettis by unanimous decision.

He also defeated Gilbert Melendez by unanimous decision. In 2017, he knocked out Beneil Dariush with a flying knee.

The victory earned him a Performance of the Night bonus. Barboza faced Khabib Nurmagomedov in December 2017.

He lost the fight by unanimous decision. In 2018, he fought Kevin Lee. Barboza lost the fight by doctor stoppage in the fifth round.

In 2019, he announced that he would move to the Featherweight division.  He faced Dan Ige in 2020 and lost by split decision.

The decision was controversial, with many MMA media outlets scoring the fight for Barboza. In 2021, Barboza signed a new six-fight UFC contract.

He faced Shane Burgos at UFC 262. Barboza won by third-round knockout. The fight earned Fight of the Night honors.

In 2022, he lost to Bryce Mitchell by unanimous decision. Barboza later withdrew from his scheduled fight with Ilia Topuria because of a knee injury.

In April 2023, Barboza faced Billy Quarantillo. He won by first-round knockout. The victory earned him another Performance of the Night bonus.

In October 2023, he fought Sodiq Yusuff. Barboza won by unanimous decision. The fight earned him his ninth Fight of the Night award.

He was scheduled to fight Steve Garcia in 2025 but withdrew because of an injury. In August 2025, Barboza faced Drakkar Klose.

He lost by unanimous decision. In December 2025, he fought Jalin Turner. Barboza lost by first-round technical knockout.

Edson Barboza Net Worth

Edson Barboza’s net worth was estimated at about $2 million in 2023. He earned most of his money from MMA fights.

He also received money from fight bonuses. Barboza made money from brand deals too. For his fight against Billy Quarantillo, he reportedly earned $415,000.

His payment included a $250,000 base salary. He also received a $100,000 win bonus. He earned another $50,000 performance bonus.

He received $15,000 from sponsorships. Barboza has worked with several sports brands. His sponsors have included Vollo Sports, Reebok, Jaco Clothing, Affliction, and DFX Sports.

DetailInformation
Estimated Net WorthAround $2 million
Main IncomeMMA Fights
Other IncomeFight Bonuses and Sponsorships
Reported Fight Earnings vs. Quarantillo$415,000
Base Salary$250,000
Win Bonus$100,000
Performance Bonus$50,000
Sponsorship Earnings$15,000
SponsorsReebok, Jaco Clothing, Vollo Sports, Affliction, DFX Sports

Edson Barboza Early Life

Edson Barboza was born in Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He was born 28 weeks early. Doctors gave him a 50/50 chance of surviving.

He grew up to become a strong fighter. Barboza started practicing Muay Thai at age eight. He later competed in professional Muay Thai.

His record was 25 wins and 3 losses. He won 22 fights by knockout. He finished 17 fights in the first round.

Edson Barboza has supported a charity called Combat Athletes for Nova Friburgo. The charity is connected to his hometown in Brazil.

DetailInformation
BornJanuary 21, 1986
BirthplaceNova Friburgo, Brazil
Born Premature28 weeks early
Childhood SportMuay Thai
Started TrainingAge 8
Professional Muay Thai Record25–3
Muay Thai Knockouts22
First-Round Finishes17
Moved to USAJanuary 2009

Edson Barboza Fighting Style

Edson Barboza is known for his strong striking skills. He is especially famous for his powerful kicks. Many people consider him one of the best kickers in MMA.

Barboza made UFC history with the first wheel-kick knockout. He has also won several fights with leg kicks. His switch kicks are known for being very fast and powerful.

Barboza is the only UFC fighter to finish fights with head, body, and leg kicks.

DetailInformation
Main StyleMuay Thai and Kickboxing
Biggest StrengthStriking
Famous WeaponKicks
Famous KickWheel Kick
Other KicksLeg Kicks, Switch Kicks
UFC HistoryFirst wheel-kick knockout
Known ForFast and Powerful Kicks
Unique AchievementFinished opponents with head, body, and leg kicks

Edson Barboza Personal Life

Edson Barboza is married to his wife, Bruna. They have two children together. Their son is named Noah. They also have a daughter.

Barboza was born in Brazil. He moved to the United States in 2009. He has lived and trained in New Jersey and Florida. He became a U.S. citizen in 2022.

DetailInformation
WifeBruna Barboza
Children2
SonNoah
DaughterVictoria
MarriageSince 2004
Moved to USA2009
U.S. Citizenship2022
Training LocationsNew Jersey and Florida

Edson Barboza Charity

Edson Barboza has supported a charity called Combat Athletes for Nova Friburgo. The charity is connected to his hometown in Brazil.

Nova Friburgo faced a major disaster caused by mudslides. The disaster killed hundreds of people. Many families also lost their homes and jobs.

The charity raised money to help people affected by the disaster. Barboza supported the charity because Nova Friburgo is his birthplace.

DetailInformation
CharityCombat Athletes for Nova Friburgo
Connected ToNova Friburgo, Brazil
Main PurposeHelping people affected by disasters
CauseMudslides in Nova Friburgo
SupportFundraising and Community Help

FAQ – Edson Barboza Biography

1. Who is Edson Barboza?

Edson Barboza is a Brazilian-American MMA fighter.

2. When was Edson Barboza born?

He was born on January 21, 1986.

3. What is Edson Barboza known for?

He is known for his powerful kicks.

4. Who is Edson Barboza wife?

His wife is Bruna Barboza.

5. What is Edson Barboza net worth?

His net worth was estimated at about $2 million.

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