Edson Barboza says a move to Florida from New Jersey earlier this year has resulted in a better life for his family. As a result, expect “the best Edson Barboza” to hit the octagon this weekend at UFC Milwaukee.
Milwaukee, WI — After spending years training with Ricardo Almeida and Mark Henry in New Jersey, earlier this year, UFC Milwaukee’s Edson Barboza made a move. A move to a new team, in familiar territory. Florida, where he actually started his pro career in 2009. American Top Team, however, was a new stop for Barboza, who last fought against Kevin Lee in April at UFC Atlantic City.
Barboza lost that bout, his second straight defeat. So it was clear something had to change. On Thursday’s media day ahead of UFC Milwaukee, he explained how the move went down.
“I talked to my wife, and I decided [to move] back to Florida,” he explained to media outlets including Cageside Press. “The lifestyle in New Jersey is very hard for us. I’m from Brazil, everybody knows I hate the cold weather.”
“Thank god, man” he said of the move. “I was very very happy.” Saying he loves to train, Barboza added that “I love all the coaches, everybody. I feel at home. I’m very happy to be part of the team, ATT.” It’s also convenient: the gym is just two miles from his new home.
As a result of the move, he expects you’ll see “the best Edson Barboza stepping in the octagon” this weekend at UFC Milwaukee. “I feel much better, bro,” he said. Especially outside the octagon. “It’s not about the people there, because I love my friends from Jersey. But living there is so hard for us. Last couple of months, New Jersey was very, very bad for my family.”
“When they come to Florida, it’s different,” he continued. In short, there’s far more positives. They’re happy again. “I see my wife smile all the time, my sons are happy, go every single day outside, play outside, have a lot of friends. You guys are going to see a big difference.”
Citing both the cold and people (not counting his friends in Jersey) as the core of the issue, Barboza admitted “It’s crazy, because I said, I love my friends there, I love my training partners, the coaches. I don’t know, I don’t know what happened.”
UFC Milwaukee (UFC on FOX 31) takes place Saturday, December 15 at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, WI. Edson Barboza faces Dan Hooker in the co-main event.
