TLDR
- Edson Barboza will fight Jalin Turner at UFC 323 on December 7, 2025 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
- Turner ended his seven-month retirement after being submitted by Ignacio Bahamondes at UFC 313
- Barboza, 39, has moved back to lightweight after struggling with weight cuts at featherweight
- Both fighters enter the bout on two-fight losing streaks
- Barboza promises an exciting striking battle between two dangerous finishers
Edson Barboza and Jalin Turner will meet in a lightweight clash at UFC 323 on December 7, 2025 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The UFC announced the matchup today, pairing two fighters looking to snap losing streaks.
Turner ended his retirement just seven months after hanging up his gloves earlier this year. The 30-year-old called it quits following a submission loss to Ignacio Bahamondes at UFC 313.
“The Tarantula” returns to action on a two-fight losing streak. He has dropped four of his last five fights. Before this rough stretch, Turner looked like a rising contender with a five-fight winning streak that included knockout victories over Brad Riddell and Jamie Mullarkey.
Turner holds a 14-9 professional record and has never won by decision. He has 10 knockouts and four submissions to his name. His 100 percent finish rate makes him a dangerous opponent for anyone in the lightweight division.
Barboza faces his own challenges heading into the fight. The 39-year-old Brazilian veteran has lost back-to-back fights. He most recently fell to Drakkar Klose at UFC 319 in August after losing a decision to Lerone Murphy.
The veteran striker recently moved back up to lightweight after a stint at featherweight. Barboza told reporters he was obsessed with his weight during the featherweight run. He checked the scale multiple times daily.
Weight Cut Struggles
“A couple of years, I was a little bit crazy,” Barboza said. “I was checking my weight in the morning, checking my weight in the afternoon, checking my weight at night – it was a couple of years like that.”
Barboza said the constant weight monitoring was bad for both his body and mind. He expressed relief about returning to 155 pounds. The move allows him to focus on fighting rather than the scale.
Despite his age and recent losses, Barboza maintains he’s not thinking about retirement. He still feels competitive in training at American Top Team. He trains harder than many younger fighters at the gym.
Barboza made a promise to his family about when he’ll retire. He told his wife and mother he would never fight just for money. He vowed to walk away when he no longer feels competitive.
Promise of Excitement
The Brazilian legend previewed his approach to the Turner fight in a recent interview. “It’s gonna be a war like always, you know? The type of fight that people like, that I like,” Barboza said.
He praised Turner as a great fighter and striker. Barboza predicted an exciting fight for the fans. The matchup pairs two of the most dangerous strikers in the lightweight division.
Barboza holds an 18-13 UFC record and has competed for the promotion for many years. He owns highlight-reel finishes over Shane Burgos and Billy Quarantillo in recent years. His striking skills have made him a fan favorite throughout his career.
Turner expressed readiness to return to competition after his brief retirement. Barboza wished him well and said he hopes Turner knows what’s best for himself. The veteran said he still enjoys every aspect of fighting, from training to diet preparation.
Turner carries a 7-6 UFC record into the December bout. Both fighters will try to end their losing streaks at UFC 323.
