Brazilian striking specialist Edson Barboza is undoubtedly one of the top fighters in the world, yet it seems he’s not usually top of mind when fellow lightweights are asking for opponents. While he’s not a big fan of the talking side of MMA, Barboza is starting to recognize a pattern with his peers.

“You know, I was sitting here thinking about when my next fight might be – and against who – when it dawned on me, no one ever challenges me,” Barboza told MMAjunkie. “I see all these guys talking about each other, this and that, but not one of them mentions Edson Barboza. I guess maybe they think that if they just don’t talk about me, me and my leg kicks will go away.”

Barboza is currently ranked No. 6 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA lightweight rankings. Irish superstar Conor McGregor currently holds the UFC title at 155 pounds, and undefeated Russian standout Khabib Nurmagomedov is shouting loudest for his shot at the belt.

But Barboza isn’t sold on Nurmagomedov as the No. 1 contender. After all, Barboza said he actually pushed hard to fight “The Eagle” at UFC 205, but Nurmagomedov ultimately faced Michael Johnson, instead, grinding him down for a third-round submission. But Barboza wonders if things would have been different if he was standing on the other side of the cage.

“People think that maybe Khabib is stylistically the worst matchup out there for me,” Barboza said. “Well, guess what – I asked my manager to push me to fight him on the New York card. No disrespect to him, but I guess he picked the easier fighter in Michael Johnson, and I really cant blame him, or anyone else for that matter. Guys who fight me, winning or losing, come out all banged up.”

It’s certainly hard to argue with Barboza’s claim. While his 2012 spinning wheel kick knockout of Terry Etim may ultimately prove his lasting highlight, Barboza’s true danger is the way in which he brutally attacks his opponents’ legs – an approach that has directly won him a handful of fights and indirectly scored him countless more.

Barboza wonders if perhaps potential opponents realize that stepping in against such nasty kicks isn’t a wise move.

“Maybe I should stop kicking guys’ legs black and blue,” Barboza said with a laugh. “I know my kicks are evil, but I am a good guy. Maybe I’ll just have to agree to go easy on guys?

“It’s hard for me. I have never ever put on a boring fight in my life. I go out there and let it all hang out. Thats how I like to fight, and that’s what people like to see. I do not talk, I fight.”

Of course, the rise of McGregor to two-weight world champion has made his contemporaries realize talking is a necessary evil of fight promotion. Barboza last saw action in July, scoring a decision win over Gilbert Melendez, and he would seem to be in line for a big fight. He just wonders who’s going to be willing to answer the call – and if maybe he’ll need to add some special stipulations.

“I think I should fight one of the top-ranked guys in my division,” Barboza said. “If there is any logic to this game anymore, that’s what should happen. Michael Chiesa? Nate Diaz? Where are you guys? Come on. Let’s put on a show!

“I’ll agree to five kicks per round. Or maybe l’ll just have to box and wrestle. Whatever it takes. I respectfully would like to fight you gentlemen.”

The lightweight division is currently due for some changes. Out of the top-15 fighters in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA lightweight rankings, only No. 8 Justin Gaethje is currently booked, and he’s the WSOF champ. So the possibilities for Barboza are plenty, and he wants to make sure he gets the best option available.

“I am not much of a talker, and I do not talk smack or disrespect anyone,” Barboza said. “But I think anyone would agree, when I step up there, time stops. It’s like the calm before the storm, and when I am in there, it’s always a storm.”

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