UFC Lightweight Edson Barboza Announces Move To Florida and American Top Team

One of the most feared strikers in the Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight division, Edson Barboza, has officially swapped the “Garden State” for the “Sunshine State,” announcing this week that he is relocating his family to Florida and his training to American Top Team.

The Brazilian has been training in New Jersey crew since 2012, after being persuaded by boxing coach Mark Henry to help prepare Frankie Edgar for his fight with Benson Henderson. Barboza then officially relocated to New Jersey full-time in 2014 with his wife Bruna and son Noah. However, the move to ATT seems to suit the 32 year-old Brazilian as the warmer weather and lifestyle down south are closer to what he’s used to in Brazil.

”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.”

Despite switching camps, there is no animosity between himself and his former coaches as the move was motivated by a lifestyle change for him and his family.

”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.”

Barboza’s last fight inside the Octagon was a fifth-round stoppage defeat to Kevin Lee in April, his second loss in a row. In that fight, Barboza hurt his foot and has been recovering from the injury while targeting a return to action in late October or November but wants to acclimatize himself to his new team mates before locking in his next fight.

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