One-time PFL heavyweight champion Philipe Lins is undefeated within the UFC since shifting all the way down to 205 kilos, and believes the key is treating each opponent because the world’s greatest.
Contemporary off a victory over Maxim Grishin in June, Lins faces Ion Cutelaba on Saturday at UFC Vegas 80. His win over Grishin was his third in a row after choking out Ovince Saint Preux in 49 seconds and profitable a call over Marcin Prachnio. Now he appears to be like to increase his win streak to 4, which might be his longest since his PFL championship run in 2018.
“I’m tremendous prepared and assured,” Lins stated on MMA Combating’s Trocação Franca podcast. “I’ve the utmost respect for each athlete I face, doesn’t matter if it’s Cutelaba, Jon Jones, or [Magomed] Ankalaev. I’m prepared for all challenges within the UFC. Let’s go for the fourth straight win within the UFC.”
Cutelaba enters the cage following a first-round stoppage of Tanner Boser, which helped him get again on observe after going 2-6-1 over his earlier 9, a run which noticed him lose to ranked skills equivalent to Glover Teixeira, Johnny Walker, Ryan Spann, and Ankalaev twice.
On the flip facet, Lins is on a roll and really feel much less strain after overcoming back-to-back losses to Andrei Arlovski and Boser in his early UFC profession as a heavyweight.
“I actually got here to the UFC with quite a lot of strain and couldn’t let go of all my expertise in there,” he stated. “It was an excellent resolution to go all the way down to 205 kilos, and the outcomes show that. Three wins in a row and dwelling more healthy, coaching higher. I’m again house, feeling tremendous nicely ready. However I have a look at each struggle individually. These wins are prior to now now, let’s go for the following now. After this win, I’ll be capable to look again and say, ‘Rattling, I gained 4 in a row within the UFC.’”
“Monstro” turned 38 in August and feels “very wholesome” to struggle on for a lot of extra years. With the intention to make a run for the title, nevertheless, he admits that point isn’t on his facet.
“I’ve to hurry issues up, completely,” Lins stated. “I consider {that a} good win over Cutebala will imply I should be ranked, after which I can struggle a top-15 [opponent], or perhaps a top-10 to earn my area. I must be prepared for a problem in case some top-ranked fighter will get injured and I can soar in. The best way I see it, I actually need to take greater steps. I can’t transfer slowly.”
“I haven’t had many MMA fights [22], however I’m very skilled,” he continued. “I’ve been coaching for a very long time. I’ve completed jiu-jitsu since I used to be 17. My [MMA] file doesn’t have many fights, however the good facet is that I haven’t had many wars, and my physique is wholesome. I had knee surgical procedure as soon as, however I perceive how my physique works now. I’m 38 and I don’t wish to struggle till I’m 45 or no matter, however I’ve religion that the long run is brilliant for me.”
