Salt Lake City, UT — Bantamweight Aoriqileng notched his second straight win on the preliminary portion of UFC 278 in Salt Lake City on Saturday — though he came away just a little banged up.
Through the first couple of rounds on Saturday, the “Mongolian Murderer” was finding considerable success on the feet. That was something he and his team expected, although a late brawl left him icing his injuries backstage at the Vivint Arena.
“Yes, that’s— we expected that. We actually prepared for that type of fight going into the camp,” Aoriqileng (24-11) told media outlets including Cageside Press, speaking via translator.
His right hand was on point throughout the fifteen minute scrap, something the fighter attributed to “endless repetition” in camp, with his hook and right hand.
Opponent Jay Perrin was likely down two rounds heading into the third, and a late push was to be expected. “I knew that going into the third round, but due to maybe the altitude or elevation, I was very exhausted, same as my opponent,” Aoirqileng stated. “So I wasn’t able to finish the fight the way I anticipated.”
As for what’s next, “any time they call my name, I’ll be ready.”
Watch the full UFC 278 post-fight press scrum with Aoriqileng above.
