LAS VEGAS – Ode Osbourne admits he feels slightly misplaced combating on the UFC 306 major card.
Osbourne (12-7 MMA, 4-5 UFC) is tasked with opening the primary card of Noche UFC at Sphere on Saturday (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPNews, ESPN+) in a flyweight conflict with Ronaldo Rodriguez (16-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC).
With UFC CEO Dana White lengthy touting the historic occasion as a legendary evening for fight sports activities, some followers anticipated the struggle card to be deeper and extra star-studded. So when Osbourne’s matchup with Rodriguez bought outstanding placement, even he was a barely caught off guard.
“It virtually seems like a highschool expertise the place you get invited to the cool celebration and also you’re type of the nerd and persons are like, ‘What’s he doing right here?,’” Osbourne informed MMA Junkie and different reporters at UFC 306 media day on Wednesday.
Osbourne, who’s a Las Vegas resident, mentioned it’s unusual to be in “enemy territory” in a way with the Mexican theme round Noche UFC. Nonetheless, he’s not unfamiliar with these kind of eventualities. He’s fought on marquee playing cards earlier than towards extra confirmed competitors, so he’s not going to get flustered by the expertise.
“All people has been asking me that, ‘What are the feelings?’ There actually isn’t none, actually,” Osbourne mentioned. “That is my tenth struggle within the octagon. Madison Sq. Backyard, (Kamaru) Usman vs. (Colby) Covington, I fought on ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone vs. (Conor) McGregor. I’ve fought in Houston. I’ve fought on some nice playing cards. UFC has blessed me with some nice alternatives. So I’m fairly used to this personally. In that approach there’s no feelings there.”
Regardless of his self-deprecating demeanor about his major card place, Osbourne, 32, mentioned he totally understands the importance of this chance. He plans to shine with a ton of eyes watching, and thinks Rodriguez, whom he shares one thing of a historical past with, is a perfect dance accomplice.
“I sparred him truly at Xtreme (Couture) about three weeks earlier than we bought introduced to struggle,” Osbourne mentioned. “As knowledgeable I messaged him and I used to be like, ‘Hey man, I bought a name that they need me to struggle you, and I’m certain you bought the identical name as nicely. What do you suppose? Do you wish to take it? No matter you determine I respect.’ He was like, ‘I feel it will be an awesome alternative for the each of us.’ I used to be like, ‘Let’s do it. Thanks.’ I bought nothing however love and respect for ‘Lazy Boy’ to be sincere. He’s a cool dude.”
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