Mansur Abdul-Malik came into his bout on Dana White’s Contender Series with a lot of hype. The Maryland product had a perfect 5-0 record with all five fights ending in the first round. However, when they booked him with another tough prospect in Wes Schultz, some questioned whether he would be ready for the step up in competition or a second round should it get there.
Not only did he quiet those critics, but did so while hardly breaking a sweat. That fact was not surprising to the now-UFC middleweight. These are things he’s put in the time for.
“I wasn’t surprised about it, man. If I’ve worked for something, and I’ve prayed for it in the ways that I’ve prayed for it, it’s expected,” Abdul-Malik said. “That’s why there was no celebration also. Obviously I was happy. Obviously I was grateful, but I’ve seen it.”
The lack of celebration came partly due to those expectations, but also partially due to his immediate focus on to what comes next. Immediately he was in his management’s ear about trying to get back in there. So when the UFC called with a veteran name and a date before the end of the year, you could say he was ready for it.
“Foaming at the mouth,” he said of his offer to fight Dusko Todorovic. “He’s been in the UFC – he’s not just a debuting guy. He’s a veteran of the sport, X, Y, and Z. I don’t care, but in the most respectful way… I see it as a beautiful opportunity. What happens when I go in there and finish him as well?”
And that finish is expected for Abdul-Malik. Since his last dismantling, he’s been back in the lab and making sure we see a sharper version than we saw the first time.
“Me getting my hand raised, but in a much more precise way. I’d like to think of myself now as much more of a professional,” he explained. “Quick finishes, clean work, clean clean effort, composure.”
Mansur Abdul-Malik‘s fight with Dusko Todorovic takes place this Saturday at UFC Vegas 100. That fight card begins at 4pm EST and is available on ESPN+.
