Edson Barboza (photo via UFC)

By FCF Staff

Khabib Nurmagomedov is widely considered to be one of the greatest, if not the greatest grappler in all of MMA, but Edson Barboza says he’ll be ready if and when their fight hits the floor.

The two will face off in the co-main event of UFC 219 tonight, in a bout that could see the winner advance to a title fight. While discussing the match-up recently, and Nurmagomedov’s vaunted grappling abilities, Barboza said this (quote via UFC.com):

“I’m an MMA fighter,” Barboza said. “I really don’t put my focus on his takedowns. My focus is on what I’m gonna do in the fight. I’m not scared if he’s going to take me down. Wherever this fight goes, I’m ready. I know if I go there and give my best, I’m going to win this fight.”
Then he smiles again, the nicest scary guy you will ever meet. But when someone can end an opponent’s night with one strike, that’s something to be happy about, right?”

“This fight starts on the feet,” Barboza added. “It starts in my area.”

Barboza is riding a three fight winning streak heading into tonight’s card, and is coming off a vicious, KO win over Beneil Dariush.

UFC 219 will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.