Featherweight, Damon Wilson (9-2) Vs. Marcio Barbosa (16-2)
Notable Notes
- Wilson is five years older (32 to 27)
- Wilson is 8-2 under the Cage Warriors banner
- Barbosa is 3-1 under the LFA banner
- All of Barbosa’s finishes (15) come in the first round
- Barbosa’s last loss came to UFC fighter Gabriel Santos
- This will be the US debut for Barbosa
Damon Wlison
–Knockout power
-Uses feints well
-Good bodywork
-Credible wrestling
-Dangerous in the phone booth
-Nasty elbows
-Good right hand
-Good defensive grappling/wrestling
-Sits in the pocket too long
-Hands low, chin high
-Overzealous striker at times
-Poor cardio
Wilson is just a few key improvements away from being a legit contender, but unfortunately, those gaps are critical, and at 32 years old, it’s unlikely he closes them. On the feet, there’s a lot to like. He’s a crafty striker who uses frequent feints, switches stances smoothly, fires hard body kicks, and strikes well off angles. He’s even more dangerous in close quarters, where he throws elbows and knees fluidly and mixes in tight punching combinations.
But the defensive side of his striking is a glaring liability. He keeps his hands low, his chin high, and he struggles to see straight shots coming. And with a head the size of a refrigerator, he’s a massive target.
Despite the knockouts, Wilson actually comes from a wrestling background. He has solid anti-wrestling, making him tough to take down, and when he’s on top, his body triangle control is strong. The biggest limiting factor, though, is his cardio. If his gas tank held up, he could wrestle at a consistent pace and mask some of his striking flaws, but he fades after the first round. That’s when his defensive holes really start to widen. He’s always dangerous, but increasingly vulnerable as the fight drags on.
Marcio Barbosa
-Heavy hands
-Dangerous in exchanges
-Fast starter
-Goes body-head well
-Forward pressure
-Solid bodywork
-Poor cardio
-TDD needs work
-Limited ground game
Barbosa is exactly the kind of fighter you want to see on the Contender Series: aggressive, powerful, and relentless, with a style that almost guarantees a finish. Those familiar with him already know the upside: he’s explosive, dangerous, and brings serious intensity. But they also know the glaring red flag, which is his cardio. That weakness was on full display in his fight with Gabriel Santos, where he emptied the tank chasing an early finish and paid for it. It’s a trend that’s shown up in other losses as well. He’s a devastating hammer, but not a great nail.
Early on, he’s a nightmare. Barbosa marches forward, cuts off the cage, and fires heat-seeking missiles. Body shots and a lethal left hook are staples of his game, often setting up brutal finishes. His striking isn’t overly layered: it’s power, pressure, and smart body work that make him so dangerous.
That said, there are concerns. His chin has looked questionable at times, and his ground game raises red flags, especially as the fight drags on. Maybe his cardio has improved since the Santos fight, but we haven’t seen evidence of that yet. If it has, Barbosa could be an even bigger problem than he already is.
Prediction: This one’s going to be a car crash for as long as it lasts. Both guys hit hard, thrive in close range, and love to trade. I wouldn’t be shocked if Wilson found Barbosa’s chin; he can crack, and Barbosa is always down to exchange. But I trust Barbosa’s power and durability more. Wilson’s defense is shaky from start to finish: hands low, chin high, and a massive target. That’s a bad mix against someone as explosive as Barbosa.
Wilson does have a path ( he’s more well-rounded and could use his ground game), but I don’t think he gets the chance. Both guys fade, but I don’t see this going long. Barbosa is just too dangerous early, and I see him getting Wilson out of there in under three minutes.
