When you first look at the UFC 142 card, you might think that this event lacks the big name star power to create the kind of spectacular showing that the organization’s most recent trip to Brazil for UFC 134 was able to. However, this event will feature quite a few interesting matchups outside of its main and co-main events. The lightweight showdown between Terry Etim and Edson Barboza is one such matchup.
It’s easy to get lost in the lightweight division. With names such as Frankie Edgar, Benson Henderson, Gray Maynard, and Anthony Pettis, the 155 pound weight class has quickly become a shark tank where careers and momentum can be swallowed up in an instant. Barboza and Etim are two 25-year-old lightweights who have the potential to shoot up the ranks during 2012. But to do so, they must go through each other when they meet at the next event.
Barboza first burst onto the mainstream fight scene when he chopped Mike Lullo’s legs out from under him at UFC 123. After that night expectations began to rise for Barboza, a dynamic Brazilian striker that is often compared to Jose Aldo. However, his last two bouts against strikers Anthony Njokuani and Ross Pearson were much more difficult, as he eked out close decision wins. In the bout against Pearson in particular, it was apparent that Barboza was lacking in the cardiovascular area, as he was unable to stay on the gas, and push through the fight at a higher pace.
Etim was in Barboza’s position back in 2007. He was a hot prospect who had come into the UFC with a submission victory over Matt Grice in UFC 70. But his career hit a roadblock when he lost back to back fights against Gleison Tibau and Rich Clementi. He rebounded with four straight wins, and was being cast as a fringe contender to the lightweight title before he was submitted by Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 112. Due to a rib injury, a year would pass before Etim was next able to compete, but he made a successful return to the Octagon this past November with a guillotine choke submission win over Edward Faaloloto in 17 seconds.
Looking at this bout, I expect many people to pick Barboza due to his ability to throw a variety of powerful blows from different angles. He will certainly have the advantage in that area, but I believe that Etim will be able to effectively defend himself while on the feet. The trouble will begin for Barboza if he is unable to keep this fight standing. He has never faced a competitor with the submission abilities of Etim, whose length allows him to attack relentlessly, whether he is in a dominant position or on his back. It will be interesting to see how Barboza’s grappling game has improved over the last two years, because it was pointed to as an area of concern as he prepared to fight Pearson.
Now that he is fully healthy and active in the Octagon, I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds for Etim and finding out whether he will be able to return to a prominent position in the lightweight division. This bout is going to be a very stern test against a rising star, but I believe that Etim will be able to find a way to lock in a submission victory at UFC 142.
I fell like, with a title like "Dog Eat Dog Division," this piece would have been more about the depth and nature of the lightweight division than simply breaking down one fight that hardly anybody is checking for.
*feel