G. Durinho (photo) at UFC weigh-in. Photo: Reproduction / Twitter
The Brazilian Gilbert Durinho will debut in a new division at UFC Montevideo, this Saturday (10), in Uruguay. After reporting difficulties in cutting weight to perform among the lightweight divisions (up to 70,3kg), the athlete, together with his team of coaches and doctors, opted to move up a division and perform among the welterweights (up to 77kg. ). For his debut, the fighter was called up at the last minute to replace the Argentine Laureano Staropoli and hold a duel against Russian Alexey Kunchenko. In an interview with 'Combate', the Niteroi native spoke about this weekend's challenge.
See too
“A lot of guys denied this fight. In the last three weeks before the fight, I was training a lot of jiu-jitsu, which Robbie Lawler he had a fight scheduled against Colby (Covington) and asked me to help him with sparring (training). So, I was doing a lot of sparring and I realized that I was training really hard. That's when they called me asking for the fight, they told me that Sean Shelby (UFC fight promoter) had offered me this fight at the last minute. But, when I saw what I had trained in, I accepted it,” said Gilbert. “I knew I was a tough guy, good at striking, but I think my game fits very well in that category. I will be strong in this category, fast, and with a heavy hand”, said the Brazilian.
The Brazilian will, in fact, have a very complicated commitment ahead of him. In his welterweight debut, Durinho will face an athlete who has never been defeated in his professional career. With 20 fights in his career, Alexey will make his second commitment to Ultimate. His last fight took place in December last year, when he defeated the experienced Yushin Okami, former challenger for the middleweight title (up to 83kg.).
Gilbert made a point of explaining the reasons that motivated him to accept the challenge of playing in the top category. According to the Niteroi native, concern for his health was a key factor in the fighter changing his career plan and moving up a division.
“The last time I reached my weight, he (doctor) didn’t like it at first. He was a guy who greatly influenced this change, who talked to me a lot, said that I wasn't being healthier and said that, if I wanted to have a long career, I would have to move up a category. I'm getting heavier, I'm getting older”, said the fighter”. I'm not a kid like I used to be, when I was calmer. I'm having more experience, I'm training with several guys over 70kg, in the higher category, and that gives me confidence. That was confirmation. I only train with these guys, before I would lower myself and it would affect my performance a little due to the wear and tear of the weight cut”, said Gilbert.
This Saturday, Gilbert, 33, will make his 12th appearance since signing a contract with the UFC in 2014. The fighter has a favorable record within the company. In all engagements, the combatant won in
Comments