Moldava’s Ion Surdu finds himself in a co-main event fight at Oktagon 58 this Saturday, paired up with Oktagon mainstay and former champ David Kozma.
Coming off a loss, Surdu (14-6) recently spoke with Cageside Press about his bounce-back fight, and the opportunities it affords.
“Of course I changed something, small things,” Sordu explained, asked whether he had changed anything in training following his loss to Stefano Paternò back in December. “After the losses, all losses are a lesson for us, and we try to turn the key for next week. So of course I changed some small things, I added some small things for my training camp. But as usual, my mentality and all focus is on the belt. That’s small stuff and baggage on the ride to the top, for sure.”
Surdu vs. Kozma has been announced as a title eliminator, meaning there’s even more on the line in the co-main event at Oktagon 58. The welterweight belt currently sits vacant. In spite of what is on the line, Surdu is hoping he gets the best David Kozma possible.
“I’m looking forward to [face] him in the cage. I hope he will be in the best shape of his career because I am, and for sure it will be fire. I want to give the public what they’re waiting for, what they paid for. I want to give them a show not only in the cage but outside of the cage.”
“When I step in the cage, it’s hard for my opponents. I’m, all the time, going to finish him,” Surdu added, noting that he’s often told fans “don’t blink in my fights, because they can end any time, my fight can get finished.”
All that said, Surdu knows the former champ is a tough test with so much on the line. “Of course he’s a dangerous guy, he’s an experienced guy but my time is coming.”
He’s also hoping that the fight goes the distance, so he can give the fans a show.
“I hope it will be 15 minutes, I hope it will be 15 minutes of war because I’m ready, because I’m ready to wrestle him, I’m ready to punch him in standup. Now I’m in really good shape, and I know I’m better in every position. I hope it will be 15 minutes of a really good show for the fans, and a real good war. But at the same time, if I will touch him, trust me, he will shut down.”
Sordu believes that Kozma has had the damage piling up, especially after his last fight. “If I will catch him, for sure he will be in trouble.”
Watch our full interview with Oktagon 58’s Ion Surdu above.
