Achievements: Edson Barboza is one of the most experienced fighters in UFC, competing since 2009. His career spans over a decade, and throughout that time, he has earned a massive fanbase for his striking techniques. Barboza is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and also holds a brown belt in the discipline. He specializes in leg strikes and his signature flying knee knockout has become his trademark.
Strengths:
Recent Results: In his last fight, Barboza lost to Lerone Murphy by unanimous decision, which ended his two-fight winning streak. However, Barboza defeated opponents such as Sodiq Yusuff and Billy Quarantillo, showcasing his strong skills both in the stand-up and in the clinch.
Achievements: Steve Garcia has been a professional MMA fighter since 2013, and despite his younger age, he has a solid experience. He is known for his excellent striking technique and ability to read timing. Garcia impresses with his aggression and willingness to fight at full speed, making him a dangerous opponent for anyone.
Strengths:
Recent Results: Steve has defeated fighters like Kyle Nelson (TKO), Sen Woo Choi, Melquizael Costa, Nurdanbek Shailan, and Chase Hooper. These victories have solidified his reputation as one of the rising stars in UFC.
This fight is expected to be packed with intense moments, as both fighters prefer aggressive stand-up battles. Barboza is certainly a master of striking and can land devastating shots, especially with his legs. However, recent performances have shown that as he gets older, he struggles more with fast, accurate hits and high-paced fighting.
Steve Garcia, on the other hand, is in excellent physical shape and continues to rise in his career with a series of victories. He will likely bring a more dynamic approach to this fight and attempt to control the pace, using his aggressive style.
Our prediction is that Steve Garcia will win. Despite Barboza’s experience and skills, he hasn’t always handled the pressure of younger fighters, and his defense has shown weaknesses. Garcia is expected to push the pace and could finish the fight early using his aggression and excellent timing.
Date and Location: February 23, 2025, exact location is not specified, but it will likely be held in the USA.
Odds for Steve Garcia’s Victory: approximately 1.8-2.0. Garcia is the favorite based on his current form and strategy.
Steve Garcia enters the fight against Edson Barboza as the favorite, with his aggressive style and recent five-fight win streak. Barboza, though experienced, has shown vulnerabilities in handling high-paced, pressure-heavy opponents, which plays into Garcia’s strengths. Garcia’s striking and pressure will likely overwhelm Barboza, who may struggle to keep up with the relentless pace.
Our prediction – Garcia wins by TKO at odds of 1.66.
