UFC Fight Night Kansas City tips: Edson Barboza can stop Billy Quarantillo inside the distance
![Edson Barboza](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.planetsport.com%2Fimage-library%2Fland%2F700%2Fe%2Fedson-barboza-5-march-2022.webp&w=3840&q=75)
One of the finest strikers to ever set foot into the UFC cage, Brazil’s Edson Barboza faces his 28th fight for the company as he welcomes Billy Quarantillo in the co-main event at Kansas City.
From ranked contenders to future champions, Barboza has fought the who's who at both lightweight and featherweight in the UFC. However, this weekend he faces a career crossroads in his fight with Quarantillo.
Passing his 37th birthday earlier this year and on a two-fight losing streak, if Barboza is looking for a run at the title an impressive performance against Quarantillo is crucial.
Hernandez caught him several times with hard shots and opened a massive cut over his eye, but he was unfazed, punishing Hernandez as the fight went on to eventually lead to a TKO finish.
That fight exposed his striking as very open to a counter fighter of which Barboza is world class. Quarantillo often dropped his head as he threw single straight punches which left him open to attacks up the middle.
Barboza's world class counter striking should be enough to secure him the victory. Neither man has much interest in making this a grappling match and this could be a front runner for fight of the night honours.