UFC Vegas 53: Jake Collier Wants to Get In, Get Out, Get Paid, With “The Least Amount of Damage Inflicted on Myself”

Las Vegas, NV — In his last trip to the UFC octagon, heavyweight Jake Collier captured himself a Performance of the Night bonus care of a submission against Chase Sherman.

Turns out, the win was more important than many realized, as it was the last fight of Collier’s deal. “It was on the end of my contract with the UFC, so definitively, I had to go out there and win,” he told media outlets including Cageside Press during this week’s UFC Vegas 53 media day. “Luckily I got to go out there and win and put a stamp on it.”

This Saturday, Collier (13-6) returns against Andrei Arlovski, a living legend who is sitting on a three-fight win streak. “The Pitbull” is someone Collier, at 33 a decade younger than Arlovski, watched growing up.

“Absolutely. I’ve been watching him fight since I was younger,” said Collier. “He’s an entertaining fighter, that’s why we like him. I grew up watching him, that’s why he was one of my favorite fighters. And it’s pretty cool that I get to fight him now and showcase what I can do against him.”

Despite being a fan, he added, “it’s not hard at all to go in there and fight him, because he’s going to try to take my head off. He’s not going to go in there and go ‘oh I’m glad you’re a fan, I’ll take it easy on you.’ I know he’s going to come in there and try to bust my head off. I’m going to go in there and try to do the same to him.”

Prior to the Sherman win, Collier had predicted exactly what would happen if he got the fight to the ground. The plan is similar this time around.

“I think we’re going to have a good striking fight, but it’s kind of the same thing. If he starts throwing these lazy kicks, I know he’s gotten into the teep kicks, and it’s lazy, I’m putting him on his back. You guys have seen what I can do once I’m on top of somebody. That’s when I’m going for the kill. I’m not trying to ride this out for three rounds, I’m trying to get in there, get out, and get paid. With the least amount of damage inflicted on myself.”

Watch the full UFC Vegas 53 media day appearance from Jake Collier above. The event takes place this Saturday, April 30, 2022 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. More coverage can be found below.