Former lightweight top contender Edson Barboza has decided to change weight classes. Combate’s Raphael Marinho reports that Barboza will drop down to featherweight for the first time in his career. Marinho also reports that the UFC wants Barboza to fight Dan Ige on May 16 at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. Both fighters have verbally agreed to fight, but no contracts are signed.
Barboza is looking to bounce back from a two-fight losing streak. His last loss was against Paul Felder by split decision at UFC 242 on September 7, 2019. He has faced some of the very best in the lightweight division like Anthony Pettis, Tony Ferguson, and lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. The move to featherweight presents new matchups and opportunities to be a top contender.
For Ige, this is his biggest fight to date in the UFC. Ige is on a five-fight win streak and is ranked 15th in the featherweight division. His last win was against Mirsad Bektic by split decision at UFC 247 on February 8. A win over Barboza can catapult Ige to fight other big names in the division.
The UFC has yet to make this fight official and is still working on the May 16 card. The main event for the card will be a heavyweight matchup between Alistair Overeem and Walt Harris.