Tim Boetsch möter grappling-legendaren Ronaldo ”Jacare” Souza på lördagens UFC 208, i en match där de flesta håller Souza som vinnare. Men Boetsch planerar att överraska alla och knocka toppmellanviktaren:
“I know I can finish this guy and that’s exactly what I plan on doing,” säger “The Barbarian”.
På lördagens UFC 208 ställs Tim Boetsch (20-10) inför ett av de största testen i hans karriär hittills då han möter BJJ-legendaren Ronaldo ”Jacare” Souza (23-4, 1 NC). Matchningen har förvånat flera då ”Jacare” är rankad som #3 i den officiella mellanviktsrankingen medan ”The Barbarian” återfinns som #13.
Med det sagt så är inte Boetsch den som tänker låta chansen gå till spillo. Boetsch menar att han inser att han kommer att ha problem på marken mot ”Jacare”, och planerar därför att boxa ut brasilianaren. Det uppger han på BJPenn Radio:
“To strike with him is the obvious thing. He knows that’s my intention and I think he has a confidence in his power. I think he’s going to come out early and try to use that. I know he’s going to be moving forward, looking to hurt me and put me on the cage. But I think all of those things lend well to what I want to do to him. If he thinks he wants to drag me to the ground then that means he’s gotta get within range and if he’s in range, I know I can put my hands on him and I know I can hurt him. I know I can finish this guy and that’s exactly what I plan on doing.”
”Är en grappler av världsklass”
Inför matchen uppger Boetsch att han tränat för att förbereda sig för “Jacares” otroliga grappling-förmågor. Boetsch har vunnit sina två senaste matcher via TKO mot motståndare som Josh Samman och Rafael Natal.
“He’s a world class grappler and very dangerous on the ground,” säger Boetsch. “Part of the fight game is mitigating risk. I don’t want to put myself in a grappling match with this guy. It would be foolish to think that I’m going to go in there and kimura him or catch him in a guillotine. It’s very unrealistic. That being said, I know that he believes if he can drag me to the ground that’s the end of the fight. Obviously if he can’t hold me down, he can’t win. So I’ve been doing lots of takedown defense, lots of clinch work, lots of getting up off of my back, and lots of being safe. If I can shut down the action – not that I’m one to stall on a position – but if he can’t work from the top position, you know. People have paid good money to see a fight so hopefully the ref will stand it back up. But I’m prepared for anything. If it’s a long, grueling and defensive battle until he wears down a bit and I can put my hands on him in the third round, I’m willing to do that. I sort of like the way the last fight went though, get in there and take my opponent out. Then go celebrate with my friends and family and not have to go to the emergency room.”
UFC 208: Holm vs de Randamie äger rum I Brooklyn den 11 februari. Matchkort, tider och odds för galan hittar ni här.
