Edson thanks “The man upstairs” (UFC publicity photo)
A year removed from knocking out Terry Etim, Edson Barboza was awarded the “Knockout of the Year” at the World MMA Awards, considered the “Oscars” of the MMA world, last weekend in Las Vegas.
In determining the winners of the awards, the fans decided who got the trophies, and Barboza hasn’t forgotten to thank them.
“I’d like to thank everyone who voted for me and helped me win this prize,” said Barboza in a press release after the ceremony. “Thank you to all my fans, who always send me positive energy and make our sport grow more and more.”
In typical award show fashion, Barboza went on to thank everyone else that made him who he is today.
“I’d like to thank the whole team at Valor Academy in Florida as well as my new team: Ricardo Almeida, Renzo Gracie, Mak Henry, Anderson França, Frankie Edgar and Marlon Moraes,” he said. “Thanks also goes out to my family and my friends for all the vote campaigns. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Barboza’s knockout of Terry Etim was picked as the bset of the season. (UFC publicity photo)
On Jan. 14 of last year, at the second UFC Rio event, Barboza landed a spectacular spinning kick to Etim’s head in the third round, and from that day forth was heavily favored to win the award for 2012’s “Knockout of the Year.” Focused on his next fight, Barboza puts off any euphoria to focus on his preparations.
“Winning the award was unbelievable, but now it’s a thing of the past,” he said. “I’m totally focused on my next fight, and I want to again leave the octagon as the winner. That’s all I’m thinking about right now.”
Barboza will next step into the octagon this coming Saturday, Jan. 19, when he takes on his countryman Lucas “Mineiro” Martins at UFC São Paulo.
UFC on FX 7
Ginásio do Ibirapuera, São Paulo, Brazil
January 19, 2013
- Vitor Belfort vs. Michael Bisping
- Daniel Sarafian vs. CB Dollaway
- Gabriel Napão vs. Ben Rothwell
- Thiago Tavares vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov
- Godofredo Pepey vs. Miltinho Vieira
- Ronny Markes vs. Andrew Craig
- Diego Nunes vs. Nik Lentz
- Edson Barboza vs. Lucas Mineiro
- Iuri Marajó vs. Pedro Nobre
- Wagner Caldeirão vs. Ildemar Marajó
For more UFC and MMA coverage,
visit GRACIEMAG.com’s Choke MMA section
