Maldonado (photo) was selected to replace Cigano. Photo: SUPER FIGHTS
With the cutting of Junior Gypsy, who fractured his hand during his training, the TUF Brasil 3 Finale underwent a significant change in its main fight. For the vacancy left by Cigano in the fight against Stipe Miocic, light heavyweight Fábio Maldonado was selected – who agreed to move up a category to be at the event. Even with the sudden call-up and the duel against an opponent who is in the top-10 in the heavyweight category, Maldonado demonstrated confidence in his boxing and stated that he believes that Miocic will not want to start striking in the confrontation.
“I think Miocic is a great fighter. I know he has good boxing, but I have several victories and titles in the sport. I believe that at close range I have the advantage and in a 25-minute fight I'm sure he won't want to exchange blows. He'll want to put it down, but I'll be ready too. I accepted this fight at the last minute, on the spot. I will maintain a good level in training and I want to arrive well conditioned. I am very confident of a victory”, stated the “Caipira de Aço”.
Even though he only worked as a light heavyweight, with a limit of up to 93 kg, in Ultimate, Maldonado said that fighting in the top category is nothing new in his career and rejected that he might have problems adapting to heavyweight. “”Fighting at heavyweight is not something new for me. Alex Davis, my manager, told me about the possibility of taking this fight and I accepted immediately. I always wanted to fight in the heavyweight division within the UFC, I had even asked for fights against some athletes in the category, such as Pat Barry and Roy Nelson. This invitation came at a great time and doing a main event in Brazil will be excellent for my career”, she concluded.
On May 31st, at the Ibirapuera Gymnasium, in São Paulo (SP), Fábio Maldonado faces Stipe Miocic, in a fight valid for the heavyweight category. The fight is the new main fight of TUF Brasil 3 Finale, an event that hosts the finals of the reality show in the up to 84 kg and up to 120 kg divisions. In addition, the main card also features two more fights: Demian Maia x Alexander Yakovlev e Ron Jason x Robbie Peralta.
Comments