Edson Barboza joins American Top Team, wants to fight again ‘as fast as possible’

Edson Barboza will represent a new team when he returns to the Octagon.

The Brazilian striker, who trained alongside the likes of Frankie Edgar and Marlon Moraes with coaches Mark Henry and Ricardo Almeida for years in New Jersey, has decided to move to Florida with his family and join American Top Team.

”I moved on Monday, so it’s been three days since I’m here,” Barboza told MMA Fighting on Wednesday. “There are a lot of guys I know there and I felt at home, no doubt. I spoke with the coaches and I’m happy and excited. I’m still moving, worried about this part first, but I’ll start training tomorrow.”

Barboza still sees his former coaches and teammates as members of his family despite the switch of camps.

”I love them, coaches and training partners, but life brought me back to Florida,” Barboza said. “We’ll continue talking. It’s a bit complicated now that I’ll be on a different team, but I love them all.”

The 32-year-old lightweight hasn’t fought since a fifth-round stoppage defeat to Kevin Lee in April, his second loss in a row. Barboza, who injured his foot in the fight, targets a late-October or November return to action, and wants to adapt to his new team before agreeing to his next fight.

Don’t expect him to stay away for too long, though.

”I want to fight as fast as possible with whoever the UFC puts in front of me,” Barboza said.