Cheerful to the Brazilian fans, Thiago Marreta is close to his next commitment for Ultimate. On March 6, at UFC 259, the light heavyweight (up to 93kg.) will return to the octagon and face Aleksandar rakic on the main card. In an exclusive interview with SUPER LUTAS YouTube channel, the former title challenger analyzed the confrontation and spoke about his return to the octagon in November, when he lost to Glover Teixeira.
See too
Considered one of the Brazilian promises in the category led by Stipe Miocic, Marreta seeks to regain his status as challenger for the category belt. To do this, the fighter needs to prove that he is 100% recovered from the injuries that kept him away from fights for more than a year.
Negative string
Although, for many, Marreta is considered the 'moral winner' of the fight against Jon Jones, in 2019, the Brazilian comes from two negative results in a row. In November 2020, the 'City of God' fighter returned to the Octagon after more than a year of inactivity and ended up losing to his compatriot Glover Teixeira. Even without seeking excuses, the Tupiniquim spoke about his physical condition in the confrontation against Minas Gerais.
“To say I was 100%, I wasn’t. I also don't want to say I lost because of it. I was dying to fight, I had been out for a year and a half and there was no way I could postpone it. It's not even physically, but it was out of timing, for the time away. (…) During the fight, I felt a little slow, my thinking was a bit slow,” she said.
Challenge against Rakic
Hair UFC 259, Marreta knows he will have a tough commitment ahead of him. In the show, the Brazilian will exchange forces against another great reference in the division. However, Thiago needs to overcome his rival to keep his dream of competing for the category title alive again. Thus, the fighter analyzed the March 6th challenge against number four in the ranking.
“My biggest weapon against him would be my speed. All these guys who are really big are slower. (Also) my knockout power. The danger is the first few minutes. He is very strong and explosive in the first few minutes. As the fight goes on, I will have a certain advantage”, said Marreta.
Optimal outcome
Known for the aggressiveness with which he conducts his fights, Marreta will not shy away from his characteristics against Aleksandar. Faced with a younger opponent with promising status, the Brazilian hopes that an imposing outcome will catch the attention of the Ultimate's board.
“I don’t see this fight going to points very often. He's an aggressive guy too. Look for the knockout. I don't imagine this fight going to three rounds. I imagine I can knock him out in the second or third round,” said the light heavyweight.
Future in the division
Although he is not currently facing a title fight, Thiago knows that a big victory places him back as one of the favorites for a future title fight. In this way, the fighter told what he thinks for the next challenges, if he leaves Las Vegas with a positive result.
“It will depend a lot on what the UFC's plans are and what will happen on March 6th in the fight between (Israel) Adesanya and (Jan) Blachowicz. We will only know a lot after the result of this fight. I believe that, if I win, I need to do one more to fight for the belt”, he concluded.
At 37 years old, Marreta will reach his 30th commitment as a professional in MMA. Currently in third place in the light heavyweight rankings, the Brazilian has 21 triumphs and eight setbacks in the sport.
Comments