Ateba Gautier wants to face ex-champ following UFC 328 victory
· Yahoo Sports
Ateba
Abega Gautier is aiming high for his next fight.
Gautier faced Osman Diaz in a middleweight matchup at UFC 328 on Saturday at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. While Diaz managed to defend himself in the first round, Gautier knocked him out with a right hand early in the second round. Gautier says he was prepared to go the distance and was in no rush to finish the fight. “The Silent Assassin” claims he wasn’t even looking for the knockout when it came.
“I went to the cage thinking, ‘I’m going for 15 minutes,’” Gautier said in a post-fight interview witht the UFC. “If he hangs up before 15, it’s fine, but if he doesn’t hang up, it’s OK… I didn’t even try to knock him out. It just comes naturally.”
Gautier called out Israel Adesanya after his win over Diaz. Gautier explains that he is a huge fan of Adesanya and considers the former champ a legend. While Gautier admires Adesanya, the Cameroonian wants to test himself against “The Last Stylebender”, as it would be tough matchup.
“Israel, I’m a huge fan of him,” Gautier said.”I really love every fight he has. For me, he is a legend. Nobody will ever change that; he is a legend. I admire him so much. He is an African fighter; he is doing well. So I want to face him. He is someone who will be tough for me… I don’t want to fight him, but the wall I see in him.”
Gautier (11-1) is undefeated in five UFC outings with four finishes. Meanwhile, Adesanya (24-6) is on a four-fight slump and coming off a stoppage loss against Joe Pyfer this past March.
Gautier faced Osman Diaz in a middleweight matchup at UFC 328 on Saturday at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. While Diaz managed to defend himself in the first round, Gautier knocked him out with a right hand early in the second round. Gautier says he was prepared to go the distance and was in no rush to finish the fight. “The Silent Assassin” claims he wasn’t even looking for the knockout when it came.
“I went to the cage thinking, ‘I’m going for 15 minutes,’” Gautier said in a post-fight interview witht the UFC. “If he hangs up before 15, it’s fine, but if he doesn’t hang up, it’s OK… I didn’t even try to knock him out. It just comes naturally.”
Gautier called out Israel Adesanya after his win over Diaz. Gautier explains that he is a huge fan of Adesanya and considers the former champ a legend. While Gautier admires Adesanya, the Cameroonian wants to test himself against “The Last Stylebender”, as it would be tough matchup.
When Your Idols Become Your Rivals
“Israel, I’m a huge fan of him,” Gautier said.”I really love every fight he has. For me, he is a legend. Nobody will ever change that; he is a legend. I admire him so much. He is an African fighter; he is doing well. So I want to face him. He is someone who will be tough for me… I don’t want to fight him, but the wall I see in him.”
Gautier (11-1) is undefeated in five UFC outings with four finishes. Meanwhile, Adesanya (24-6) is on a four-fight slump and coming off a stoppage loss against Joe Pyfer this past March.
"I didn't even try to knock him out. It just comes naturally."
Ateba Gautier eyes a matchup with former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya after stopping Ozzy Diaz at #UFC328.
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