Barbosa Books Sixth Date with I’m Legit Too Sunday Afternoon with World Champion Aspirations

By: James Youness

FORT WORTH, Texas – When things were all said and done, it was Brazilian Dener Barbosa who exited the sixth round of competition during the 2023 PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast with the high-marked score and corresponding round win.

Humble in his overall approach, there wasn’t anything quiet about the Round 6 victory as the talented Brazilian advanced to the No. 4 ranking in the world Saturday night.

“I’m very happy because this is my first (round) win at the World Finals,” Barbosa shared atop the shark cage following the victory as he addressed the packed Dickies Arena audience.

“Thank you for everything and for watching today. Thank you, God, thank you to my family, thank you to my son. Thank you.”

As the only rider to meet the ever-coveted mark in Round 6, and just the fourth overall throughout the opening six rounds of action, Barbosa teamed up with Sugar Smack en route to recording a 90-point score as the 15th rider to exit the chutes.

Coming into the Saturday night slate, Barbosa knew that he had a shot to meet the 90 once his dancing partner was revealed the evening prior.

 
“I thought that I had a bull that was going to help me win this round. I got on him for eight seconds. He bucked really well and I feel happy,” the 28-year-old offered.

“I feel really confident but I need two more after this round. I have a good bull tomorrow and will try to win another round.”

With a storied history duking it out with his Sunday afternoon opponent, 4-for-5 overall in his career, he was able to call his shot during the postgame interview in selecting a rematch with a familiar foe.

“I’m going to try my best tomorrow. I got the first pick in the draft for tomorrow and selected I’m Legit Too. I like to ride him and want it to be another 90,” he communicated later in the night during a formal postgame press conference alongside fellow countryman Rafael Jose de Brito, who now leads the event overall after his 89.25-point score matched against Short Circuit Saturday.

Already having recorded a pair of 90-point journeys atop the bovine (90.5 points at the PBR Coors Banquet Invitational 15/15 Bucking Battle and 90 points earlier this season at the PBR U.S. Border Patrol Invitational), in addition to an 87-point conversion when the two first danced in 2018 during the 25th PBR World Finals and a flashy 89.5-point ride less than a month ago (April 29) during the regular season finale in Louisville, Kentucky, the stakes couldn’t be higher ahead of Sunday afternoon’s rematch.

Moving into seventh-place on the event leaderboard after pairing tonight’s ride with a 85.75-point effort aboard Froggy from Round 1, the Nashville Stampede athlete is in the thick of the race to be crowned the 2023 World Champion.

“Yeah, but it’s very close. I have two more bulls. I need two more 90-point rides,” he said.

“This is my last (remaining) dream, to be the World Champion. I try to ride my bull tomorrow, it will be the same thing. Like I said last week, I just pull my rope and let’s go.”

After ending his season with a silver finish in Tacoma, Washington, before capturing the event title in Louisville, courtesy of a perfect 3-for-3 weekend, he’s been able to resume the momentum after bucking off during four-straight in Rounds 2-5.

“I will work hard, ride some bulls, but I’m not changing anything.”

As the press conference neared its conclusion, Barbosa’s son joined the stage, claiming rights to his father’s round-winning buckle. Doubling down when host Matt West asked if junior would be sporting the prized gold buckle, should his father secure it, he smiled and nodded a few times in acceptance.

Photo courtesy of Leo Loera/Bull Stock Media

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