UFC bantamweight Daniel Marcos will enter the octagon against Montel Jackson at UFC Des Moines on Saturday night with Peru on his mind.
Marcos (17-0) is hoping to become the first UFC champion from his country joining the likes of PFL’s Jesus Pinedo.
“It would be spectacular to bring the UFC to Peru. Having a Peruvian champion would be something that would put the eyes of the world on Peru,” Marcos told Cageside Press through a translator at media day on Wednesday.
“I came here to earn that.”
To bring the UFC to Peru the requirement would likely be a Peruvian fighter who is champion or on the cusp of a title shot. Marcos believes he can be that fighter and that his home country has plenty of talent to add to a stacked card.
“We have many high-level fighters in Peru and I believe I’ll make it happen. I’ve worked hard in the gym to achieve this goal,” he said.
“My dream is to enter the top-15, become world champion, and there is nothing that can stop me from achieving this dream.”
Both Marcos and Jackson will come into UFC Des Moines on 5-fight win streaks. Credit where it’s due to Jackson, but Marcos believes it’s his opponent that won’t be able to stack up on Saturday night.
“He’s a tough opponent. We’re entering the top 15 in the division where the best in the world are ranked, but he’s never faced someone as tough as me,” he said.
“Mentally, physically, spiritually, I am made for this. I was born for this. I’ve gone through a lot in my life, but here I am. God has put me here today, he’ll put me in the cage on Saturday, to win and raise the flag of Peru.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Daniel Marcos above. He takes on Montel Jackson at UFC Des Moines on Saturday night.
*Translated by Cageside Press
