TLDR
- Edson Barboza retired after losing to Esteban Ribovics at UFC 330 in Philadelphia
- He nearly lost vision in his right eye during his May 2024 fight against Lerone Murphy
- Barboza fought his last three fights unable to see out of one side
- The 40-year-old spent nearly 16 years in the UFC with 18 wins and 13 post-fight bonuses
- He plans to transition into coaching and sharing his knowledge with the next generation
Sources: mmajunkie.usatoday.com
UFC veteran Edson Barboza has revealed he nearly lost vision in his right eye, a serious injury that led to his retirement after UFC 330 on Saturday night. The Brazilian fighter competed in his final three bouts with compromised vision that he kept hidden from most people.
Barboza lost to Esteban Ribovics via second-round TKO in Philadelphia before laying down his gloves in an emotional retirement ceremony. The 40-year-old fighter shed tears on his walkout and received a standing ovation from the crowd.
“I almost lost my vision in my right eye,” Barboza told MMA Junkie on Wednesday. “Most people have no idea about that. I can’t see out of this side.”
The eye injury occurred during his May 2024 main event fight against Lerone Murphy. Barboza said the damage has affected his vision ever since that bout.
“I don’t see nothing that comes from this side. I really don’t see,” Barboza explained. “That’s the first time I really started thinking, ‘Oh my God, this sport is hard and dangerous.'”
Barboza’s wife urged him to retire immediately after the Murphy fight. However, he decided to compete in three more bouts to see how he felt.
Edson Barboza settles debate over Herb Dean's UFC 330 stoppage with 'thank you' message https://t.co/U6q6juGp9q pic.twitter.com/yddC0UBx40
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) August 19, 2026
“She said, ‘Stop right now. I don’t care,'” Barboza recalled. “I said, ‘No, let me try a couple more fights and see how I feel.'”
The longtime contender said he knew before UFC 330 that it would be his last fight regardless of the outcome. He kept his retirement plans mostly to himself, sharing them only with his wife and children.
Physical Decline and Perfect Timing
Barboza said his body could no longer keep up with his mind during his final fights. He felt mentally prepared but physically unable to execute his gameplan.
“My last three fights were perfect for me,” Barboza said. “Then I feel my mind is there. I know everything I have to do, but my body doesn’t follow.”
The Brazilian fighter praised referee Herb Dean for stopping the Ribovics fight before he sustained more serious damage. Barboza thanked Dean immediately after the stoppage.
“If the guy caught me with one more hard shot, I would be in big trouble,” Barboza said. “My last fight, I don’t want to be in the hospital.”
Barboza made his UFC debut in November 2010 and compiled a record of 18-15 inside the octagon. He competed 33 times for the promotion over nearly 16 years.
The fighter earned 13 post-fight bonuses during his career, including 10 Fight of the Night honors. That total ties him for second-most in UFC history behind Justin Gaethje’s 11.
Life After Fighting
Barboza confirmed he is financially secure and made smart investment decisions throughout his career. He credited his wife for helping him think about his future beyond fighting.
“Thank God I did the right choices in my life and my wife, she always helped me through everything to think about the future,” Barboza said. “I did the right choices on the financial side.”
The retired fighter received calls and messages from UFC executives after his retirement. UFC CEO Dana White praised him at the post-fight press conference, while executive Hunter Campbell called to thank him.
Matchmaker Sean Shelby also sent a text message expressing gratitude for Barboza’s long tenure with the promotion. The fighter earned six main event slots during his UFC career.
Barboza told outside promoters not to contact his manager with fight offers. He has no intention of competing again in any organization.
The 40-year-old plans to transition into coaching and cornering fighters. Barboza said he wants to share the knowledge he gained from training with the best coaches in the world since he was 8 years old.
“I really want to share everything that I know and everything that I see about the striking game of MMA,” Barboza said. “I want to be a coach.”
