WILMINGTON, Del. – Edson Barboza has been trading blows with other people in one form or another for roughly 25 years. However, he said he has no plans to slow down.

Barboza (20-6 MMA, 14-6 UFC), who is still peaking in his career as evidenced by his headlining spot against Justin Gaethje (19-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC) on Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 2 lineup, said he has given thought about when he wants to retire from MMA – and very recently, in fact.

But Barboza knows it would be silly to walk away any time soon. He is ranked as one of the very best lightweights in the world and is fighting top-level competition every time out. He’s winning more than he’s not, and only once that changes will he decide it’s time to get out of the game.

“It’s funny because I talked to my coaches right now about this,” Barboza told MMA Junkie at UFC on ESPN 2 media day. “I have a picture – my first fight was when I was 8 years old. I’m 33, and it’s still the same love for the sport, the fight sport. I don’t know. In my mind I want to do this forever, but once I get older I have to hear my body.

“I’m a very competitive guy. I hate to lose. I don’t like to lose. At some point in my career I start to lose too much, I think that’s the time to stop. But hey, I really believe I feel better than ever. Stronger, faster, my cardio. I think you guys are going to hear my name for a long, long time.”

UFC on ESPN 2 takes place at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. The card airs on ESPN following early prelims n ESPN+.

Barboza, No. 6 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie MMA lightweight rankings, is a fighter who relies heavily on speed and quick-twitch reactions to get the better of his opponents. That type of fighter has historically had a quick, steep decline once their best attributes begin to fade.

There are exceptions to the rule, though, and Barboza said he takes inspiration from a fellow Brazilian who is still competing well beyond age 40.

“Anderson Silva, when he signed with the UFC was 33, 32 or something like that, and he’s the best ever,” Barboza said. “I’m 33, I feel better than ever. It’s crazy. They say when you start getting older – I may think about that when I turn 36 and I get older. But I really don’t feel (old). I’m in the best shape of my life and I feel better every single.”

Barboza is on the cusp of a fight that could easily take years off his career, though. Gaethje is a fighter who puts on epic battles nearly every time he steps in the octagon, and if Barboza gives him the type of fight he wants, the damage could stack up quickly.

Fighting intelligently will be a key element to Barboza’s success on Saturday, he said, but he believes he will be ready to go into deep waters if absolutely needed.

“That’s the most important part of my gameplan, is to hear my corner,” Barboza said. “My corner talked to me about this for my whole camp. But I’m a fighter. I’m a fighter. I understand, but I’m a fighter. I don’t know what’s going to happen in the octagon. If he comes hard, maybe I go like a crazy dog.

“People ask me the gameplan? The gameplan is no gameplan. Let’s go there and have fun.”

To hear more from Barboza, check out the video above.

For more on UFC on ESPN 2, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.