LAS VEGAS – Sure, Neil Magny retains getting matched up with the most well liked rising prospects the UFC welterweight division has to supply – and sure, he loves it.
Forward of Saturday’s UFC Struggle Evening 247, Magny (29-12 MMA, 22-11 UFC) embraces the function he’s assumed, because the man trying to bump a hype prepare off the tracks.
At 37 years of age with 33 UFC fights beneath his belt, why does Magny do it?
“Notoriety. At this level, it’s all about letting it’s identified that you simply nonetheless stand to be a pressure within the division, so to talk,” Magny instructed MMA Junkie and different reporters Wednesday. “I don’t try this by combating guys I do know I can beat. I get it by going on the market and difficult myself in opposition to whomever the UFC throws at me. That is but once more one other instance of that.
“I can simply be like, ‘Hey, do you guys have any 30-year-olds or 40-year-olds I can combat? I don’t need to combat one other up-and-coming killer.’ However I do know that’s not what’s going to make me comfortable on the finish of the day. I need to problem myself. Proper now, being on the place I’m at bodily, mentally, emotionally, I do know I can nonetheless compete with the very best guys on this planet. I’d truthfully really feel unhealthy for myself if I have been to sandbag and promote myself brief by taking an opponent I do know I’d beat simply.”
This time round, the problem is Carlos Prates, a lanky sniper of a striker with large knockout energy constructed coaching with The Combating Nerds. Prates (20-6 MMA, 3-0 UFC) has received his first three UFC fights by knockout. Saturday’s combat on the UFC Apex will likely be his fourth in 10 months.
“I’ve been impressed up to now,” Magny mentioned. “He has some fairly good kickboxing matches that I’ve been capable of see. He did fairly properly in his MMA profession. Although he’s a younger man within the UFC, the man has 26 skilled MMA fights beneath his belt. So he’s positively a veteran on this sport specifically, so far as the talent units he brings to the desk. Understanding the camp that he trains at and his background, I do know he’s know slouch. Although I do know he’s predominantly a striker, I do know he’s going to have fairly good wrestling protection, floor recreation, and issues like that, as properly. I do know I’ve a troublesome check forward of me and I can’t wait to go on the market and ship.”
With a purpose to get the job completed, Magny goals to stay level-headed. It’s as a lot of a psychological recreation as it’s bodily.
“The most important factor is being current,” Magny mentioned. “I do know these guys are very harmful in every single place else. I can’t afford to be complacent at any second on this combat. I do know I’m going to have the ability to on the market, out-strike, out-wrestle, out-grapple. I can do no matter it takes to get the job completed. For me, it’s all about being current and executing at this level.”
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC Struggle Evening 247.
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