Barboza retires after near vision loss

Edson Barboza formally retired from UFC competition after UFC 330 in Philadelphia, ending a long 33-fight career that included a recent stoppage loss to Esteban Ribovics. He disclosed that a May 2024 main-event eye injury from the Lerone Murphy bout left him nearly blind in his right eye, a condition that has affected his vision ever since. Barboza fought three more times despite the damage, signing off for good only after weighing the risks with medical staff and ultimately choosing to honor his wife’s urging to retire. He explained that his mind remained ready, but his body could no longer keep up, prompting the retirement decision before the Ribovics fight and earning praise from Dana White for recognizing when to step away. Barboza’s eye may yet improve in the future, but the veteran emphasized the reality that he could no longer compete at a high level due to the lasting vision impairment, and he publicly discussed the hardships of competing half-blind. The retirement marks the end of a career defined by high-level performances, resilience in the face of injury, and the difficult balance between ambition and health.