Featherweights Edson Barboza and Billy Quarantillo will square off as the co-main event at UFC Kansas City on April 15.
The three-round bout will set the stage for a thrilling main event between Max Holloway and Arnold Allen. Prelims for this Fight Night event begin at 5:30 p.m. ET, with the main card starting at 9:30 p.m. Quarantillo is a -175 favorite over the veteran Barboza (+150).
Edson Barboza vs Billy Quarantillo Betting Odds
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Edson Barboza | +150 |
| Billy Quarantillo | -175 |
Odds as of April 14
Using our odds calculator, Quarantillo’s -175 status gives him an assumed 63.64 percent chance of winning, which means a $10 bet would pay out $15.71 (a profit of $5.88). Barboza’s +150 odds award him a 40 percent chance to win, and a $10 bet on him pays out $25.
Barboza vs Quarantillo Preview: Who Will Win?
Let’s see what each of these featherweight fighters needs to do to win.
How Quarantillo Wins
“Billy Q” is every MMA fan’s dream: he loves to trade, he’s never out of a fight and he induces tons of violence when he steps into the Octagon. In his last bout, a second-round TKO over Alexander Hernandez, Quarantillo rallied through a sea of blood to batter his opponent. The 34-year-old fights a lot like Justin Gaethje in the way he throws uppercuts and gets in close without fear.
Overshadowed by having to follow Gaethje vs Chandler, Shane Burgos and Billy Quarantillo put on one of the best fights of the year at UFC 268 pic.twitter.com/YNog97xuJO
— Shed Boy (@Callum_JN) July 15, 2022
Quarantillo fights like he has the world’s best health insurance — which he most certainly does not — and that gives him an edge over the less active Barboza. The American is insane in volume and damage absorbed. That’s where my doubt creeps in as Barboza, even in old age, can crack with the best, especially when Billy overswings on punches.
How Barboza Wins
The Brazilian needs to be patient and mind his gas tank vs Quarantillo. It’s easy to get lured into a strike fest, but that doesn’t benefit the older Barboza. He won’t last. Even worse, he’ll probably get knocked out.
Instead, Barboza needs to maintain distance using kicks, both to the body and head. As I said, there are windows to snipe at Quarantillo when he comes flying in. The 37-year-old needs to stick to his script and explode for short moments. That’s how he beats a madman such as Quarantillo.
Barboza vs Quarantillo Pick
Again, I can’t shake the Gaethje comparison. In most fights, Gaethje is the better fighter, but he rarely fights smarter — that’s the same concept for Quarantillo in this fight. I know in my bones that Billy Q is better than Barboza, but I’m counting on the American punching his way into trouble. As such, I’m backing the ’dog Barboza and an inside-the-distance finish.
