UFC APEX – UFC flyweight Sumudaerji was excited to hear Charles Johnson was his opponent for UFC Vegas 99 on Saturday night, but feels he’ll have the upper hand in the striking.
“I was very excited when I found out the opponent was him because he’s also a striker, a stand up fighter like me. I think we’re going to put on a show for the fans,” Sumudaerji told reporters through a translator on Wednesday.
“I do think my opponent (fears) to striking with me. He’s seen my videos. Most likely he’ll try to take me down. He wouldn’t want to be striking with me.”
Sumudaerji (16-6) doesn’t see this fight going the distance. Coming in on a two-fight losing streak an impressive and violent finish would greatly benefit Sumudaerji.
“(I) get in a rhythm really fast being a veteran in the UFC. I’m trying to knock him out within the first minute (if) we can. Try to get (out) as fast as we can,” he said.
There will be no gentleman’s agreement to keep the fight standing. Sumudaerji has seen that movie before.
“Those promises often (are) broken. Even the last fight. Tim (Elliot) was telling the same thing. Let’s bang, let’s knock it out,” he said.
“Within a minute and a half he started taking me down relentlessly. So I don’t believe in that anymore. Neither should he.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Sumudaerji above. He takes on Charles Johnson at UFC Vegas 99 on Saturday night.
