Josh Fremd Says He Will Not Leave Kansas Without A UFC Contract

Josh Fremd plans on leaving Kansas later this week as a UFC fighter.

Factory X’s Fremd (8-2) was one win away from a UFC contract last May, but unfortunately, things didn’t go his way. That time is here again for the 28-year old. He is fighting this Sunday at FAC 12: Lookin’ For A Fight against Joel Bauman. UFC President Dana White will be in attendance filming his YouTube show, and he is bringing social media influencers, the Nelk Boys, with him.

Fremd believes with a win, he will receive his long-awaited UFC contract. Oh, and if he doesn’t, he’s not leaving Kansas without it.

“I’m not leaving Kansas. If I win and get my hand raised, I’m not leaving Kansas City, and Dana White is not leaving Cable Dahmer Arena without agreeing to give me a contract because this is something I’ve been working for since I was in high school. Since I was a junior high kid, I have always dreamed about fighting for the UFC, fighting in front of Dana White. I’m not putting too much pressure on myself to fight in front of him right now because I know eventually that is going to be my job,” Fremd told Cageside Press in an exclusive interview.

After having his five-fight win streak snapped and getting knocked out for the first time in his career, Fremd bounced back in October at LFA 116 as he defeated tough Brazilian Renato Valente via unanimous decision.

He faces another formidable opponent on Sunday in Bauman. Taking the fight on one week’s notice, Fremd says that his opponent presents another problem for him, a D1 college wrestler.

“I think it’s a good match-up. I’m not going to get any layup match-ups; it’s just how this game goes. I’m going to fight tough guys every single time, and Joel is another tough guy. He presents a different type of problem for me. In my last fight against Renato Valente, he was a Brazilian black belt, and that was my worry on the ground. We got a division one wrestler here now, and I’m excited to go out and test myself against him,” Fremd said.

Fremd plans on knocking him out brutally.

“I see myself winning by knockout in a very brutal fashion.”

Josh Fremd faces Joel Bauman at FAC 12 this Sunday, streamed exclusively on UFC Fight Pass. Watch the rest of our interview with Fremd above, where he talks about the Pittsburgh Steelers, his last fight, the Nelk Boys, and more.