LAS VEGAS – Bassil Hafez thinks he’s going to shock lots of people in his short-notice debut towards Jack Della Maddalena at UFC on ESPN 49.
Hafez (8-3-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) accepted a struggle with surging welterweight contender Della Maddalena (14-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC) on simply 5 days’ discover after the Australian had a number of fights fall by final week at UFC 290.
He’s a heavy betting favourite, however he warns the world to depend him out at its personal peril.
“I do know that lots of people may doubt me, however doubt all you need,” Hafez advised MMA Junkie and different reporters at Wednesday’s UFC on ESPN 49 media day. “I’m exhibiting up on. quick discover, I’m placing on a struggle and I’m going to stake my declare within the UFC.”
Hafez faces Della Maddalena in a three-round welterweight bout on the UFC Apex. The cardboard airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.
The 31-year-old who has been preventing professionally since January 2016 admits he would’ve most well-liked a full coaching camp for this second, however is aware of alternatives like this will’t be declined. He has studied Della Maddalena’s sport in the course of the time obtainable, and is assured he can overcome expectations.
“I’m a hard-working fighter, a gritty fighter,” Hafez stated. “I all the time attempt to placed on a present for the followers and I all the time attempt to get the end, and never get completed. I take satisfaction in that, that I’ve by no means been completed. My objective is to struggle Jack and beat Jake this Saturday, and show that I need to be right here. And to not get completed. I do know he’s completed his final 4 opponents within the first spherical – I consider I’m going to be the hardest opponent he’s fought but.”
Irrespective of the circumstances, it’s a giant second and a giant stage for Hafez, and he’s doing his greatest to embrace it.
“I texted my manger instantly saying I might take that struggle in a heartbeat (at UFC 290),” Hafez stated. “Then they tried to get it, however his staff ended up choosing Josiah Harrell. Then the difficulty occurred with the MRI and I bought the decision Monday by my supervisor Jason Home at Iridium, and (it was) tears of pleasure. It was a shock, but in addition tremendous excited.”
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