After losing time with Castillo, Edson Barboza aims for fast start against Donald Cerrone

Although it might not have felt good at the time, lightweight Edson Barboza is thankful he encountered a serious problem in his most recent UFC outing.

Barboza (13-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC), who next meets Donald Cerrone (22-6 MMA, 9-3 UFC), was dropped by a punch from Danny Castillo at UFC on FOX 9 and went through a new experience: a flash knockout.

“I don’t remember anything,” Barboza told MMAjunkie Radio. “I woke up, and he was on my back. Thank God I recovered well.”

He not only recovered, but went on to pull ahead on judges’ scorecards for a majority decision, which extended his current win streak to three. The win set up a fight with Cerrone, who’s won his past two and looks to climb the top-10 list when they meet at UFC on FOX 11 on April 19 at Amway Center in Orlando, Fla.

Although the pair are considered to be among the most dangerous at 155 pounds, Cerrone has thrice fallen short to champions or top contenders, while Barboza was upset by Jamie Varner two years ago at UFC 146 and forced back to the drawing board.

Momentarily, Barboza’s career hung in the balance with Castillo. But he said the adversity has led to a new strength.

“I never felt this situation in my life,” Barboza said. “It was the first time in a fight. It proved a lot. It’s good for me.”

As good as it is, Barboza’s coach is drilling him on changing his behavior inside the octagon, particularly as he nears a fight with Cerrone, who is equally known for a devastating standup attack – with a key difference.

Unlike Barboza, Cerrone is all forward motion inside the octagon. That could be problematic for the admittedly slow starter.

“My coach says, ‘Junior, start fast! Start ready!’” Barboza said. “I know I need to change this. I need to fight in the first round, and the second and third round needs to be the same speed. Definitely, I’m trying to change it for this fight, to step in and give 100 percent for the first round.”

Barboza admits he likes to “feel the fight” before setting up a finish, and to date, his setbacks are far outnumbered by his success in the UFC.

“Everybody knows that in muay Thai, in the first or second rounds, nobody fights,” he said. “They just play. I think my game for MMA is the same. I play, and I give the opportunity to give me something. That’s why I have a couple knockouts in round No. 2. I play where the guy gives me an opportunity.”

Against Cerrone, however, it’s time for a change. And while Barboza hopes he gets to show off his striking chops, he thinks the fight could easily go to a different place.

“It’s no muay Thai fight. I hope it stays on the feet, because I love this, but I’m ready (if it goes to the ground),” he said. “I train every time for everything.”

For the latest on UFC on FOX 11, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.

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