UFC 295 goes down in New York City next month, the promotion’s annual trip the fabled Madison Square Garden. And while the card recently lost its main event, it’s still brimming with exciting fights, including local hero Dennis Buzukja taking on Jamall Emmers.
Buzukja (11-3), a two-time alum of Dana White’s Contender Series who trains out of Longo and Weidman MMA, didn’t see his debut go according to plan earlier this year. He came in just slightly overweight for a short-notice fight against Sean Woodson, ultimately losing a decision.
The featherweight told Cageside Press recently that fans can expect a different Dennis Buzukja this time around.
“People are going to see a full-camp Buzukja. Healthy weight cut, proper training camp, prepared for a fight. It’s a whole different animal now when I step in there. Especially my home town. I’ve been training like crazy, man. The motivation’s on another level. You’ve got Nazim [Sadykhov], [Matt] Frevola on the card. So the energy in the gym has been insane. Everyone’s firing on all cylinders.”
“This is what we do, we love this,” added Buzukja. “These are the moments you live for.”
Jamall Emmers is another tough opponent for the 26-year old, which is nothing new for the New Yorker. “He’s definitely really good, he’s well rounded, he’s good everywhere. Solid striking, good grappling, good cardio. He’s a tough guy, you know what I mean? But I believe I’ll be world champion, and for me to be world champion, I’ll have to beat someone like Jamall Emmers.”
Buzukja has heard the commentary about this being a tough fight for him, no question. “I see a lot of people saying the UFC did me no favors with this match-up, the guy has a lot of experience and stuff, but I train with killers every day, man, and it will be another day in the office,” he stated. “It’s just what I do. It’s just a body in front of me at the end of the day. Two arms, two legs, he bleeds like all of us. And that’s it. As long as I put the hard work in and trust my training, trust my team, I think I should come out on top. And I will come out on top.”
Should he come out on top, Buzukja, who is entering the second fight of a four-fight contract next month, has certain goals for 2024. Specifically, to creep up on the featherweight rankings. “Either in the top 15 or knocking on the door of the top 15,” he told us.
Watch our full interview with UFC 295 featherweight Dennis Buzukja above.
