Las Vegas, NV — Alonzo Menifield has definitely caught wind of the controversy over UFC Vegas 56 opponent Askar Mozharov’s record.
Ahead of their light heavyweight showdown this Saturday, promotional newcomer Mozharov’s record jumped by about four losses, depending on which reference you happen to use. On Tapology, it shifted from 25-7 to 21-11, which the UFC’s Stats website now reflects (previously, it displayed 21-8).
During Wednesday’s UFC Vegas 56 media day, Mozharov explained it away by claiming many of his early fights came in China, while suggesting that “one of the admins” on Tapology “wants to prove himself.”
Menifield (11-3) wasn’t sure what to think, asked about the controversy during his own media session.
“Yeah I’ve seen it, man. It’s preposterous. Madness,” Menifield told Cageside Press. “I don’t know, man. It’s hard, I don’t know what to think. I don’t want to insult him, but I’m like, are you for real about fighting or are you not? I’m curious to see how he’ll fight Saturday. Because I’m like, when you’re in there, there’s no more posing. This is what it is, it’s a fight, and this is the highest level. So we’ll see.”
Menifield had a two-fight win streak snapped in his last outing, and is motivated to get back in the win column. He’s admittedly had a hard time scouting Mozharov, with little footage available online of his opponent.
“Yeah, you know, I played linebacker, so we always study film, but this guy is like invisible on the internet. Good job with his team, making him a secret,” said Menifield during his media scrum. What he did find, he’ll employ come Fight Night. “I found a little bit, so I was able to pick up some things from him. So we’ll see it Saturday night.”
With so many unknowns, it may all boil down to mindset, he added. “I guess you gotta just have the MMA mindset, just mix it up when they’re unknown like this. So yeah, where ever the fight goes, I’ll take it. My plan is to dominate, period.”
Alonzo Menifield faces the debuting Askar Mozharov on the main card of UFC Vegas 56 this Saturday, June 4, 2022 at the Apex in Las Vegas.
