R. Assunção (photo) faces R. Simon at UFC Vegas 45. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @raphaassuncao
In a complicated phase in his career, the Brazilian Raphael Assunção revealed that he had discovered the cause of his recent defeats. In an interview with 'Combate', the bantamweight attributed his negative results to the 'mental aspect' and declared that he was ready for the duel against Ricky Simon, UFC Las Vegas 45 this Saturday (18).
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“It was like depression. You think it doesn't have it, but it does. You think you're fine, but you're actually not. In the last three fights, the problem was the mental aspect. Against Marlon (Moraes), in Fortaleza, I had a “break down” mental, I didn’t find myself. It was the main fight. This happens at this high professional level. Against Sandhagen, I was fine, I spent some time in different training sessions and felt something physical. He was tall, it was difficult to find him, he's a tough guy. Against cody garbrandt it was mental. I was fine, I never lost weight. The mental aspect was that it had declined, perhaps due to the long period of my career. That tiredness set in and maybe I thought I didn't need to learn anything anymore, that I already knew the world. And it wasn’t like that at the time,” said Assunção.
In front of the package Ricky Simon, Raphael showed knowledge about his opponent's qualities and said that the most important thing is to emerge victorious at UFC Vegas 45.
“It’s similar to the style of Urijah faber. He's a fast guy, but I've been training beyond what he shows, so expectations are in my favor. I don't want to wait for it to be slow and then look like an 'electric animal'. He's compact, short, has wrestling, works his hands well. It is very complete. I have to use the experience. Physically, I'm fine. I want to impose my game and win however necessary. The important thing is victory”, concluded the bantamweight.
A frequent figure in the top-1 of the under-61,2kg division in recent years, Assunção has experienced a new reality in recent years. The fighter from Pernambuco was defeated in his last three fights for the organization. His last victory was in July 2018, when he defeated the American Rob font in the unanimous decision of the judges. The fighter from Pernambuco has a record of 27 triumphs and eight setbacks in professional MMA.
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