Heavyweight Steven Asplund looks for his second win inside the octagon this Saturday at UFC Vegas 114, after winning his way into the promotion on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2025.
That’s a common refrain at this point, with the bulk of the promotion’s talent now ushered in (on entry level contracts) via the show.
Asplund, however, stands out, thanks to his personality, and backstory, having undergone a massive weight loss journey to make it as a professional fighter.
At UFC Vegas 114, he’s landed Vitor Petrino as an opponent. Why? Well, it’s simple, he keeps on asking to fight. “I keep saying anywhere, anybody, any time, and I stand by that,” Asplund (7-1) said during Wednesday’s media day.
There might be an extra reason to watch what is currently slated as the night’s featured preliminary card fight. “There’s a little bit of bad blood on this one too, so as soon as I heard the name Vitor, I was like ‘f*ck yeah!’ So I’m excited,” revealed Asplund.
He would then correct himself. “Not really bad blood, but there’s history. He beat my brother in October, and I feel like Tommy was winning that fight. And I feel like watching Vitor get chinned in that fight, I’ll definitely be able to chin this motherf*cker. I’m excited to go out there and do what I do.”
It was Asplund’s teammate Thomas Petersen who Petrino put away late last year. So when the call came, he immediately accepted. Once he could hear the call anyway.
“I was piss drunk at a Rascal Flats concert when they offered me the fight,” Asplund admitted.
A hand injury kept Steven Asplund for returning right away after his last fight, but he has been itching to get back in the cage. “I want to keep showing up and showing out. I wanted the Sean O’Malley route if I’m being honest, lower level guys, but I’ll take what I get. Just happy to be here.”
Looking at the match-up with Petrino, Asplund exclaimed “Bro he’s a monster. Why is he fighting? He could be a model. What the f*ck? This guy looks like The Rock. It’s like the battle of the worst physique and the best physique in the heavyweight division. I’m excited to show the fat boys love this Saturday.”
Watch the full UFC Vegas 114 media day appearance by Steven Asplund above.
