Brad Riddell returns at UFC 253 on September 26, where ever that might be. Speaking at a virtual media day this week, New Zealand’s “Quake” admitted that he doesn’t yet know where he’ll be fighting, just who and when.
Even the who wasn’t set in stone, it seems. Riddell (8-1) has already had an opponent switch for the fight.
“I was originally fighting Austin Hubbard. Looks like he got matched with somebody else. So that’s cool,” said Riddell. “So they sent me this guy Anderson da Silva. He’s just as good, nice big record, not too many losses. So it will be nice to add to those.”
Brazil’s da Silva is, in fact, 1-1 in the UFC, and 21-2 overall.
“I’m looking forward to fighting him,” said Riddell. “He’s really good.”
da Silva is also a hard fight, Riddell added. That’s something that he’s become known for, with a couple of wars under his belt already. Despite going the distance twice in the UFC, however, Riddell’s not just hunting the knockout.
“I don’t think [the knockout] is important at all. It’s just an entertainment sport, and any way I can entertain is a good way I guess,” he stated. “Whether or not you have a hard fight and go the distance or knock him out. Any exciting way to win is what the UFC wants. I don’t think it’s important that you knock people out.”
Watch the full UFC 253 media scrum with lightweight Brad Riddell above.
