Last 2014, Johnny Eduardo was able to achieve one of the best MMA knockouts of the year. Today, he revealed that he wants to get the limelight from Aljamain Sterling.
He had no choice but to be on the sidelines for more than a year due to injuries. Now that he’s back, the Nova Uniao bantamweight goes against the Aljamain Sterling, who is an undefeated Serra Jiu-jitsu prospect, during the prelims portion of UFC Fight Night 80 last Thursday. Eduardo said during a recent interview that he is very glad to be back in the cage, and to top that, the promotion gave him the chance to go against another top ranked MMA fighter.
“I’m excited with this opportunity to fight another top 10. He’s a good fighter, but his best part is his mouth. He talks a lot. He knows how to sell and promote a fight, different than other fighters,” he during an interview with MMAjunkie.
Although he is acknowledging Sterling’s skills to promote himself, Eduardo thinks his contender has definitely went overboard, and Sterling will regret it as soon as he steps inside the cage at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan.
“He’s doing it in a way that isn’t pleasant. He’s trying to get inside my head, attacking me with insane attitudes. We try to sell a fight, but always in a polite way. We have to respect our opponents. He’s just getting me more and more excited to go there and break his jaw, like I did with Eddie Wineland. Everything he says is funny to me. When can see when a fighter is scared of the other. It’s clear in the fight. He’s showing how scared and nervous he is, how insecure he is, and is trying to get inside my head,” Eduardo said.
Sterling, who holds a record under the UFC of 3-0 and 11 professional wins, has managed to win over Takeya Mizugaki and Hugo Viana by third round finishes. He was able to win over Cody Gibson by decision as well. Eduardo, on the other hand, has an overall record of 27-9 and 20 finishes, and believes Sterling a little overrated.
“I don’t think he’s that aggressive. Everything he does standing is to try to confuse his opponents. His strongest weapon is his wrestling, but his striking is average. He’s not a knockout artist. He plays a lot to confuse his opponents and take the fight where he wants. But I’m excited to fight him,” Eduardo said.
Although it is Eduardo’s first time to fight in Las Vegas, he clarified that he’s not going to Sin City to have fun.
“Las Vegas is the biggest stage, the world cup of MMA. This opportunity came in the right time, against the right opponent. The UFC expected me to lose to Eddie Wineland, and now they see me with different eyes. I’m happy to be fighting in Las Vegas. I’m not here to have fun in the city, to walk around and take pictures, to say ‘oh, I’m a UFC fighter’. I came here to beat someone up, watch my friends’ fights and go back home,” he added.