Ahead of UFC 241, Christos Giagos previews his bout with Drakkar Klose, talks being a fan of the stacked lightweight division in the UFC.
Anaheim, CA — Lightweight Christos Giagos rides a two-fight win streak into his fight with Drakkar Klose at UFC 241 on Saturday. Now on his second stint with the promotion, it’s been a bit of a wild ride for the Greek-American fighter. His first stint with the UFC didn’t go the way he wanted, so he headed to Russia and Brazil to ply his trade, under the ACB banner.
That journey eventually led to his current run. It’s quite the story, but fighting overseas was valuable in the end. As to what he took from it, “just experience,” Giagos told Cageside Press ahead of UFC 241. “I’ve had a lot of experience. I took that, no matter where you are in life, never give up, never stop trying. Always work toward what you want. The UFC wasn’t biting, so I went somewhere I thought was going to be a good opportunity, fighting overseas, getting my name across the world. I did whatever it took. I felt like whatever I did, I have one crazy journey, I have one crazy story, and I’m just happy to be back to where I belong.”
At least for now, the crazy journey has settled down. But Giagos intends to continue enjoying the ride. Which takes him to Anaheim Saturday, another fight in a stacked division, which Giagos considers himself a fan of, on top of being a fighter. It’s a division, of course, that names like Poirier, McGregor, and Nurmagomedov call home.
“It’s awesome. Of course I’m still a fan. I’m a fan of the sport, I’m a fan of every fight,” he exclaimed. “Even guys who are just starting. I love watching fights. As much as I am a fan, they also can be an enemy at one point. As much love and respect as I have for the people, if I ever get an opportunity to fight any of those guys, for those 15 minutes, they’re not my friend.”
“I’m always going to be a fan no matter what, but hopefully one day I’m going to work my way up to fight any one of those guys, and it will be an honor in itself,” Giagos continued. “I’m going to work hard, never stop trying, and we’ll see.”
The Klose fight will be another tough test. The Michigan native is 4-1 in his UFC run, and like Giagos enters UFC 241 on a two-fight win streak. “I think he’s just all-around a well-rounded fighter,” Giagos observed. “He has good cardio, he always pushes the pace, heavy hitter, good wrestling. Not much of a jiu-jitsu threat. I feel like I can go out there and just find my game. I don’t gotta be worried about too much. I’m an aggressive fighter, heavy hitter, good wrestling. I feel like whoever shows up is going to take it that night.”
Giagos, however, feels he is being overlooked. “I think he’s definitely underestimating me. I think a lot of people are, being a big underdog in the fight. But it makes sense, he has a better UFC record than me, and I’ll let everyone know who I am on Saturday.”
Looking ahead to how it all might go down, “I see it going a lot of different ways,” said Giagos. “He’s never been finished, I’m not saying it’s going to be easy, but my jiu-jitsu game’s a lot better, my striking’s on point, but a decision might happen as well. Whoever shows up. I’m always going for the finish, I’m always looking for the opportunities, but he’s not easy to put away. I’m not going to spend all my energy trying to do so. I’m going to fight a very smart, good fight but a very entertaining one as well.”
Watch our full interview with Christos Giagos ahead of UFC 241 above!
