D. Lima faces M. Brown in the UFC Las Vegas 29. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
On the eve of the duel against Matt Brown in UFC Las Vegas 29 next Saturday (19), Dhiego Lima recognized the importance of his opponent in the history of MMA. In exclusive interview with SUPER LUTAS, the Brazilian praised the ‘Immortal’ and promises a ‘war’ in the duel.
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In a fight that opens the event's preliminary card, Dhiego recognizes Brown's good quality. Still, he considers himself technically superior and reveals he has the 'game' to surprise the veteran.
“I like to come out on top, so it will be a fight for the fans. I see myself controlling this fight. He's a tough guy, but if you look at the technical part, I'm better. I have to be careful with elbows and knees or things that he can hurt me, but if I can control them, I'll win this fight,” said Lima.
In an interview with the North American website 'BJPenn.com’, the North American said he praised the Brazilian, but says he is already thinking about a confrontation against Robbie Lawler ou Donald Cerrone. The Brazilian, however, understands the provocation as just part of his opponent's style and guarantees that he will be ready for the fight.
“It’s part of his style. But until I get there, I don't know what he'll try to do. In the last few fights, he has been fighting much calmer. He's a little old in the game, but he's still dangerous all the same. So, I don’t know how he will see me, but regardless of what he does, I will be ready”, highlighted the Brazilian.
FEELING OF REVENGE?
Still in 2007, Matt Brown faced his brother and current Bellator competitor, Douglas lima. On that occasion, the North American knocked him out in the second round. Recalling the case, Dhiego Lima He rules out that there is any feeling of a rematch for the fight and says he just wants to put Matt Brown on the list of fighters he has already beaten.
“No (I see it as a rematch), just as another opponent. I don't think we can take emotions like that into the fight, because he's a dangerous guy. The focus is only on him. And these other things are good just to sell the fight, but at the end of the day it's me versus him in there. So, I have to stay 100% focused on it,” he said.
TUF 25 EXPERIENCE
Saturday's opponents, Dhiego Lima and Matt Brown are already old acquaintances. The Goiano, who participated in the ‘The Ultimate Fighter 25’, he even trained with the American, coach on the reality show. Now, he recalled the training and stated that he has a game to surprise in the duel.
“He passed some things on to me. Elbows, knees and clinches. And he threw me into it about four times. He's a good guy. He saw me fight three times (on TUF), but I have more things to surprise him”, he concluded.
ATHLETE HISTORY
Dhiego is looking for a new sequence of good results to get closer to the top-15 in the division again. The Brazilian is coming off a defeat to Belal Muhammad | No. UFC 258 in February of this year and is in his second stint in Ultimate. Currently, he has a record of 15 triumphs and eight setbacks.
With 40 professional fights in his career, Matt Brown has been signed to the UFC since 2008. Considered one of the biggest names in the 77,1kg group, the North American is in a good phase in the organization. In the last seven fights, the ‘Immortal’ suffered five defeats. The fighter has a record of 22 triumphs and 18 setbacks.
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