G. Durinho in victory for the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
protagonist of UFC Las Vegas 97, this Saturday (7), Gilbert Durinho He guarantees that he is ready to shake off his bad phase, win again and prove that, at 38 years old, he still belongs to the elite of the welterweight division (up to 77,1 kg) and can once again fight for the belt in the category.
In an interview with 'MMA Junkie', the Brazilian, who faces Sean brady in the main fight of this Saturday's event, he assured that, despite the two consecutive defeats, he is arriving motivated for the duel against the North American.
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“I’m super excited to go back and finish this guy. Go back and prove to myself and all the critics that I still belong at the top and I still have one last run at the belt in me. There’s always going to be haters. If nobody hates you, something’s not right. There’s always something. I like that. It’s a reminder that I need to go out there and perform. I like proving everybody wrong and that I still belong at the top of the division,” he said.
At 38 years old and approaching the final stretch of his career, Gilbert Durinho knows he has no time to waste. The Brazilian, however, guarantees that he has learned from past mistakes by establishing a criterion for accepting fights and taking action. If everything goes as expected, the former title challenger intends to return to the octagon by the end of this year, at the latest by the beginning of 2025.
“I have a criteria now. I need to be fit, healthy, injury-free. My weight is always good. If I am training, fit, injury-free, I will definitely fight again soon. Let’s see how the fight goes this Saturday. I plan on finishing.” Sean brady “Early. Not so fast, but I think in the first three rounds I can capitalize on something and get the stoppage. If I don’t have any injuries, I plan to challenge the top 5 guys and come back in December or January,” he said.
Finally, Durinho admitted that the current negative sequence brings pressure to the fight against Sean brady, but he guarantees that he is ready to deal with it and emerge victorious.
“I have a little bit of pressure. I need to win this fight. It’s not even that I need to, but I want to win. I want to beat this guy. I know I can do it. I just need to make weight and stay sharp all week, get there 100% and beat him. I believe I can. It’s not an easy job, but I have to go out there and perform. He’s a tough guy, it’s not an easy fight, but I think I have a lot more experience with these guys. A path of killers. I’ve faced the toughest guys in the division,” he concluded.
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