With a fight on Saturday, Berinja aims for victory to challenge former bantamweight champion: 'I'm going to beat this guy up'

A. Berinja (photo) is looking for his second consecutive victory for the UFC. Photo: UFC/Disclosure

Brazilian promise in the bantamweight division (up to 61,2kg.), Anderson Berinja has an important commitment this Saturday (17th), at UFC Las Vegas 31. Opponent of Miles Johns, the São Paulo native aims for victory with an eye on a great challenge in his career. In an exclusive interview with SUPER FIGHTS, the fighter spoke about his expectations for the duel, his dream of reaching the top 15 and confirmed his desire to face a former champion of the group.

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This weekend, Berinja will try to confirm the good phase of his career after achieving his first victory with Ultimate gloves. To do this, the Brazilian will need to overcome a North American promise that also comes from a positive result.

Preparation for the duel

On Saturday, Anderson will make his first appearance in 2021. The athlete, who returns almost eight months after his last commitment, spoke about his preparation for the clash.

“The preparation was very good. I always train everything. (…) Of course, when we have a fight scheduled, our minds change a little. We intensify the rounds, the sparings. I am 100% trained”, said Anderson.

Opponent analysis

To reach his second positive result in the UFC, Berinja will need to overcome a dangerous opponent, who has only one defeat in MMA. The Brazilian showed that he was aware of his rival and pointed out his opponent's qualities.

“He is a tough, young, promising boy. He will certainly bring a lot of joy to the UFC, but it won't be on Saturday. He will face a very tough guy, who wants this victory more than anything. I'm not going to give him the opportunity to 'play' in there with me. He's a wrestler, he was a state champion, but he knows how to box. He has a lot of gaps in his game. He doesn't have the jiu-jitsu quality that I have. If he tries to use wrestling to take me down, he could get hurt, like his last opponent did. He knows this, he studied me. Taking a chance on me is complicated. (…) This guy is not going to take me down. I’m well trained and I’ll say more: I’m going to take him down,” he said.

Bantamweight reality

Even with a champion questioned by fans, the bantamweight division has become one of the most competitive divisions in the organization. Observing the category with good eyes, Anderson talks excitedly about the current situation of the under-61,2kg group.

“I usually say that it (the UFC bantamweights) is the most difficult – not that there aren’t others. But 61kg is a lot of people. My category is very full. I'll give you an example, I have a friend, Marlon Vera, before fighting with José Aldo, he had six wins in a row, sometimes he entered the top 15 and sometimes he didn't. (…) It's a difficult category to get into the top 10 quickly. You have to work hard, beat everyone. If you get the top 20, anyone there can be a champion,” he declared.

Top 15 dream

Even though he is aware of the difficulties encountered in one of the company's most tense divisions, Berinja knows what he needs to do to reach the group's elite once and for all. The athlete then made a prediction about when he could get there.

“To get into the top 15, I think I need four, five consecutive wins. I've already come from one and I hope to win another one on Saturday. I hope to fight at least one more this year,” said Anderson.

Keeping an eye on former champion

Willing to continue his journey towards the top of the bantamweight division, Berinja revealed that he has plans to challenge a former champion of the division, if he emerges victorious over the weekend. Excited, the São Paulo native proposed a confrontation against cody garbrandt.

“I heard that there will be a new season on 'Ilha' (da Luta, in October). It would be a perfect date. I even have an opponent in mind. And the cody garbrandt. I'm dying to fight this guy. He's not coming at a good time. (…) He is a former champion, a tough guy. He can't demand much, wanting to fight with the top guys. First, he needs a win. So I could be the guy he thinks is going to get that win. It's a name I want. I'm going to provoke him, call him out, ask him what he's going to do in the next few months. (…) Me, analyzing the game, my brother, I beat this guy up”, he said.

Son arriving, look at the 'Bonus'

Close to becoming a father, Berinja does not hide his desire to, in addition to winning, take home one of the desired bonuses given by Ultimate to the highlights of each event. In pursuit of his dream of US$50 (around R$255), the athlete is eager to win, but jokes about a lower chance due to the presence of his compatriot on the main card.

“Every fight in the UFC, I think about bonuses. Last time, I don't know why I didn't win. (…) My time will come. I'm only worried about something related to bonuses, because I think I'm going to get a finish. The problem is that there is a guy on the card who calls Rudolph Vieira (laughter). (…) There may be a knockout too. There's an aerial knee, upper. I know that one day we're going to get in trouble and I'm going to catch it. I hope you look out for Berinja. I need to buy a house, the second child is coming. If it comes, it will be wonderful,” he concluded.

Athletes' history

At 35 years old, Anderson Berinja is heading towards his 30th fight as a professional in MMA. Today, the São Paulo native has 21 wins and eight losses in the sport.

In the sport since 2014, Miles Johns reaches his 13th challenge, less than half the number of the Brazilian. The 27-year-old North American has 11 triumphs and one setback.