The best and worst from UFC Fight Night 128

#1 Worst: Did Khabib take Barboza’s soul?

Edson Barboza's career might've been damaged by his loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov

We’ve seen plenty of times in the past that one single bad beatdown can change a fighter’s career for the worse – witness Renan Barao post-Dillashaw or Josh Koscheck post-GSP for instance – and we may have seen another example last night in the form of Edson Barboza. The Brazilian – who looked to be in the form of his life in 2016-17 – took a horrendous beating from Khabib Nurmagomedov in December, and the big question became whether he would ever be the same after.

Judging by last night the answer might be no. Taking nothing away from opponent Kevin Lee, who fought fantastically, it just felt like Barboza had very little answer for the pressure being put on him, where in the past he’d at least be able to push back at an aggressive opponent like that. There’s no shame in giving up takedowns to a fighter like Lee, but Barboza essentially gave up two 10-8 rounds and made a win very unlikely before even the halfway point.

Yes, he showed he was still dangerous with that spin kick that rocked Lee in the third, but outside of that kick, this was a one-sided beating – again – with Barboza on the wrong end. When the doctor did call the fifth round stoppage it felt like mercy, and in hindsight, perhaps the Brazilian’s corner should’ve stopped the Khabib fight earlier too. We’ll probably know for sure how much Barboza has lost when he fights next – which should probably be after a long layoff – but last night was a worrying signpost to suggest he might be shot.