Las Vegas, NV – Coming off a big win nearly a year ago UFC flyweight Zarrukh Adashev returns in hopes to start a winning streak against Ode Osbourne at UFC Vegas 56 on Saturday night.
Adashev (4-3) cut a two-fight losing streak when he defeated Ryan Benoit via decision in July 2021.
“Oh man that victory was everything for me. Specially opponent was so tough. Ryan Benoit is one of toughest guy in our division. That was my last fight in my contract so if I was going to lose that fight I was going to get cut. I put everything I have into all fights, but that one was crazy. When I broke my hand in the first round I was like ‘No no, I just got to keep going’. That’s it,” Adashev told reporters on Wednesday.
Adashev was out for nearly a year before getting the call to face Osbourne on the main card at the UFC APEX, but not by choice.
“Actually I got scheduled in January 16th with Kleydson Rodrigues. My fight got canceled because of my injury. I got surgery right after my fight with Ryan Benoit. I thought my hand would be ok until January. Because of that I canceled the fight so now I’m here. Can’t wait,” Adashev said.
He now takes on Osbourne (10-4) who is coming off a win at UFC 268.
“Ode is one of the great striker in our division. Great fighter. In the UFC all these guys are great. That’s why they’re in the UFC. Ode is one of the best in our division so I’m going to try my best to take my win Saturday night,” Adashev said.
Toughness aside Adashev knows that anyone he faces in the UFC will be a different puzzle to solve.
“They have different styles with Ryan, but he’s tough too. When I got signed with the UFC I never fought with mits, you know? Everyone was tough. Tyson Nam, Su Mudaerji, Ryan Benoit, now Ode Osbourne. I was born for that, you know? I was born to fight with the best and I’m here and I’m ready to fight,” said Adashev.
Watch the full media day scrum with Zarrukh Adashev above. Adashev faces Ode Osbourne on the main card of UFC Vegas 56 on June 4th at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, NV.