UFC flyweight Jose Ochoa steps into a big time opportunity with a short-notice spot against Asu Almabayev at UFC Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
Ochoa (8-1) steps in for Ramazan Temirov who withdrew two weeks ago leaving Almabayev without an opponent. Ochoa jumped on the opportunity immediately.
“When I got the news I accepted the fight right away. I feel prepared, I’ve put in the work with my team, and an opportunity sent to me by God,” Ochoa told reporters through a translator on Wednesday.
Ochoa trains with the fame Chute Boxe team with Charles Oliveira as one of it’s start pro fighters. Ochoa has found a home with one of the biggest teams in the sport.
“I represent Chute Boxe. I feel at home with them, and happy to train with Charles Oliveira. We’re here for war, and happy that we’re always rising up the rankings,” he said.
In Almabayev he gets a high-level wrestler who’s takedown game is one of the best in the division. Ochoa plans to attack other parts of his skillset on Saturday.
“I studied Asu and he’s a strong wrestler, but he’s got holes in his striking. That’s going to be my target. Lots of pressure, good defense which I’ve worked on for a long time, and I’m going for the victory,” he said.
Watch the entire media day scrum with Jose Ochoa above. He takes on Asu Almabayev at UFC Abu Dhabi on Saturday night.
