Edson Barboza reveals he fought last 2 years of UFC career blind in one eye: 'I can't see nothing'

After more than a decade and a half of delivering thrilling knockouts, Edson Barboza called it a career and retired from MMA at UFC 330 in Philadelphia. As it stands today, the veteran lightweight is feeling the effects of his 16-year UFC run.

Barboza, 40, came up short in his final walk to the Octagon against Esteban Ribovics this past Saturday. Despite his best efforts, Barboza (25-14) took heavy shots early in the fight that carried over en route to a second-round TKO stoppage. The loss extended Barboza’s losing skid to four straight, but the lasting damage was done two fights prior, he said.

Speaking on Wednesday’s edition of “The Ariel Helwani Show,” Barboza revealed that he’s been fighting virtually blind in one eye since his loss to Lerone Murphy in May 2024 — the first blemish of his career-ending losing streak. That was the moment he initially started thinking about retiring from MMA.

“I was like, man, I don’t know if I want to do this for a long time, because I have a bad injury in my eye. I can’t see with my right eye,” Barboza told Uncrowned.

“It’s crazy. … I don’t see anymore with my right eye. I see nothing coming from outside, and I did two surgeries, and I had a hard time going back to training because it’s been super hard. I’ve always seen with both eyes. Imagine you start training with only one eye — it’s not easy. I have a hard time. So, last two fights, I didn’t feel 100%.”

Barboza described his vision in his right eye as more of a flashiness rather than being fully blacked out. His peripheral vision is essentially gone, and he can’t explain how he was cleared for competition other than telling doctors he was ready to go.

“I said I want to fight, and I said, ‘Hey, if anything happens, it’s my fault,'” Barboza said.

“I love the doctor, my eye doctor — he gave me big support, and yeah … it’s crazy because some days, I feel a little bit better. I start to see a little bit. Some days I don’t see nothing. When I go outside with the sun, I can’t see nothing with this eye.”

Fortunately, Barboza said doctors have told him that his vision is potentially recoverable.

After making his UFC debut in late 2010, Barboza quickly became a fixture in the promotion’s lightweight division and eventually enjoyed a four-year stint at featherweight as well. Although he never challenged for UFC gold, Barboza still looks back fondly on his highlight-filled career and said he’s very happy with the run he had.

Barboza decided the Ribovics fight would be his sendoff, he said, when he signed the contract. Once fight night came around, he felt even more justified in his decision.

Edson Barboza spent 16 years competing at the highest levels of the UFC in two divisions.

“It’s crazy because I never sleep after the fight,” Barboza said. “Thank God, on Saturday night, I finish the fight, go to my room, and I slept like a baby. The first time in my career, I sleep after the fight. That’s crazy. It means a lot for me because I think that’s the end. I’m happy and proud of myself.

“I’m not competitive in the high level anymore. I still had a hard time when I lost — look at my last three fights I lost. When UFC offered me to fight this guy, I said, ‘Whoa, that’s going to be a perfect fight for me. That’s the fight for win.’ And I lost.

“I feel on this level, I’m not competitive anymore. That’s why I decide to stop. I promised my wife and I promised my mom, I would never fight for money. And I’m not going to do this for money.”

Barboza may still compete in some fashion in his new life in retirement, he admitted. The likeliest place for a return would be on the mats for jiu-jitsu matches above all else. He intends to leave MMA fully in his rearview mirror, but knows he’ll still face the eventual tough decision of whether or not he should fight again at some point.

What will help suppress his urges to return for one more? Well, to all the promoters out there, don’t contact the man. Let him instead enjoy the rest of his days in peace.

“It’s hard to say [I won’t fight again] because I’m a fighter. I was born into this. I’ve never done nothing [else] in my life. My first professional fight I was 16. I’m still fighting. I do this my whole life,” Barboza said.

“To be honest, my wife gets crazy, but I hope, please, any organization, don’t call me. Please don’t call me, don’t call me or my manager. Please forget me, because, to be honest, I don’t want to go back to fight.”