LAS VEGAS – Nikolay Veretennikov has no intention of stirring issues up with UFC on ESPN 61 opponent Danny Barlow earlier than they step into the octagon. Fairly the other, truly.
Veretennikov (12-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) mentioned he’s crossed paths with Barlow (8-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) on a number of events forward of their welterweight bout on Saturday on the UFC Apex (ESPN, ESPN+). From the elevator within the host resort to the hallways outdoors the media room, it has been all respect between the upcoming foes.
“We simply noticed one another right here and we noticed one another earlier than within the resort and we truly rode the elevator collectively,” Veretennikov advised MMA Junkie and different reporters at Wednesday’s media day. “I don’t have any aggression towards him or any form of anger towards him. That is simply sport. That is professionalism. We’ve got to come back out right here and do our job after which after the struggle, if we’ve to hug it out, I can want him good luck after the struggle. However the level is for us to get in there and do our work.”
Veretennikov, 34, admits he doesn’t know a lot about Barlow. He did some transient tape research, however different that mentioned the information is minimal, which he’s OK with as a result of he spends a lot of his preparation on self-improvement.
It’s an enormous second for Veretennikov in making his UFC debut, and he mentioned he’ll enable his skillset to search out the very best path to victory.
“I by no means plan out my fights forward of time,” Veretennikov mentioned. “I believe the octagon will present and you will notice it your self.”
To listen to extra from Veretennikov, try the video above to see his full UFC on ESPN 61 media day interview.
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC on ESPN 61.
You should definitely go to the MMA Junkie Instagram web page and YouTube channel to debate this and extra content material with followers of combined martial arts.
