SALT LAKE CITY – Mario Bautista admits the Jose Aldo matchup caught him unexpectedly.
A rising bantamweight out of MMA Lab, Bautista (14-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) takes on the all-time featherweight nice Aldo (32-8 MMA, 14-7 UFC) on Saturday at UFC 307. The combat takes place on the principle card at Delta Middle.
“After I acquired Jose Aldo, I used to be fairly excited, fairly comfortable,” Bautista informed MMA Junkie and different reporters at a pre-fight information convention Wednesday. “He’s ranked and a UFC legend, I used to be fairly stunned that he was taking over these younger guys. You’d assume he’d come again and combat somebody at his age caliber or (with) a following, like a Henry Cejudo or somebody like that. However props to him. He’s keen to take the danger.”
Regardless of the high-profile opponent, Bautista doesn’t really feel like there’s extra of a highlight on him. In his thoughts, all eyes are nonetheless on Aldo, however he hopes by way of a profitable efficiency which may change.
“(A win) would undoubtedly transfer me into the highest 10, prime 5 presumably,” Bautista mentioned. “As a fighter, you at all times need these fights, these Corridor of Famers or somebody who has been across the sport for some time, simply to check your self towards them. I do know he’s not in his prime however that doesn’t matter. It’s simply the title and one thing I’ve at all times regarded ahead to.”
Ought to he win Saturday, Bautista acknowledges his profession trajectory will level additional upward. His life would possibly change, however in some regards, Bautista hopes he can stay low-key.
“I’m going to have to simply be myself,” Bautista mentioned. “I’m simply type of like a homebody. I simply keep at residence and type of decline some issues. I don’t know if it’s good or not. It simply retains my peace of thoughts. It simply retains me targeted on coaching. That’s simply what I like to do, is prepare (and) combat. But when it comes and it’s proper up my alley, I’ll do it.”
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