Like many UFC signings over the past 12 months, Danny Chavez’s signing was far from ideal. It was in an empty arena one month after he had captured the Global Legion Featherweight Championship. Whether it was the circumstances of his past two fights taking place in an empty arena, or simply his style, Chavez doesn’t feel any different than if he were fighting on the regional scene in Florida.
“I forget I’m a UFC fighter sometimes,” Chavez told Cageside Press. “I used to watch all these guys [in the UFC], and now I’m part of it. I get a lot of love from a lot of people and it’s dope.”
After opening up his UFC career 1-1, Chavez will look to continue his rise in the 145lb division whe he face Doo Ho Choi on July 31. When asked about his matchup with Choi, he showed nothing but respect for his South Korean opponent.
“People forget that Doo Ho Choi was the #13 ranked fighter in the world [at featherweight] when he fought Jeremy Stephens,” said Chavez. “He lost to three great fighters. He got stuck in the military and hasn’t fought, but this is Doo Ho Choi we’re talking about.”
At 34 years of age, Chavez feels the time is now to propel himself to the next level in the crowded 145lb division. One of the biggest changes he has implemented is in his training. At this stage in his career, he felt modification of his training and diet was a must.
“I was too old school [heading into the Gordon fight]. It was working for me [previously], but I it didn’t work for me for the first time,” Chavez told Cageside Press. “I’m just trying to be a smarter fighter outside of the cage. I never took BCAA’s, multi-vitamins or fish oils. ‘This is the first camp I’m doing that.”
With the modifications outside of the gym, the MMA Masters product will look to rebound from his first loss inside the promotion. Aa much as Chavez is hoping to get his hand raised, the one feeling he is looking to avoid is that of defeat.
“I hate losing more than I like winning.”
See our full interview with Danny Chavez above. The fight with Choi is expected to take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on July 31.
