R. Assunção holds a record of 11 wins and one loss in Ultimate. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook UFC
In six years in Ultimate, Raphael Assunção has a record of 12 fights, with 11 triumphs and one setback. With a retrospective like this, other fighters have already had the chance to compete for the title, but the Brazilian lives in a 'limbo' within the organization. In an interview with the “MMA Fighting” website, the Pernambuco native stated that he no longer knows what to do to have the opportunity to compete for the category belt.
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“I have no idea, man. I have no idea. I did everything I have to do, I did everything I could and I don't know what else to do. It's a confusing time right now. It's just a crazy time in the weight division, I understand that, but let's make it happen, man. I don't know what else I have to do. I really don’t know,” said Raphael.
Assunção has already faced the bantamweight champion, Tj dillashaw on two occasions: in October 2013 at UFC Barueri, the Brazilian came out with a split decision victory and in July 2016 at UFC 200 the North American got the better of him and won by unanimous decision. The Brazilian assured that a third fight would be completely different from the first two.
“It would be a different fight, because I know the guy. I know the guy's style. I just know because I understand. And look, this isn't me being arrogant or anything. I understand the fundamentals of Muay Thai that he has. I know what he brings to the table. No other guy knows in the division right now what he's going to do. No other guy knows. They are all surprised when he is switching positions and pretending to be false lateral, turning to the left. I know this game. I play this game training every day”, explained Assunção.
The former UFC bantamweight champion, Dominick Cruz last week he assured that he will fight again this year. He was considered as one of the possible challengers to Dillashaw's title. Even so, Assunção doesn't think he will be the next to compete for the division's belt.
“He’s a respected athlete in the division, but no, he doesn’t deserve to go back there. I've been the consistent guy, doing my job, fighting, and even Marlon doing his job second, who's fighting, and then Dominick... Dominick didn't fight. He is not working. He's doing FOX stuff. FOX doesn't count here. If we're talking about fighting, FOX doesn't count here. So who's fighting? Me and Marlon after me. Marlon is coming after me”, guaranteed the man from Paraíba.
The Brazilian believes there are three possible challengers to Dillashaw's belt: Dominick Cruz, Marlon moraes it's him. At 36 years old Assunção is confident that if merit plays a factor, he should be the next man to fight for the title. “I don't know of any other reason not to be the next guy unless they follow the Twitter followers,” concluded Assunção.
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