Neil Magny holds the record for most fights in UFC welterweight history heading into his 35th octagon appearance this Saturday at UFC Vegas 108 against Elizeu Zaleski, and Zaleski sees it as an opportunity to climb back into the 170-pound rankings.
Zaleski, who at one point of his career won seven in a row in the promotion with finishes against the likes of Sean Strickland and Curtis Millender, re-enters the cage with only one victory in his past five bouts. Fighting safe to go back to the win column doesn’t seem to be the plan, though.
“We have to brawl there and that’s what I hope to do,” Zaleski told MMA Fighting. “He’s a guy that was always in the top 15 so a win over him could obviously be a game-changer for me to go back to the top 15 again. I’m going for the win to be ranked again, of course, but the main goal here is to put one a great victory over him and then against whoever comes next, so being back in the top 15 is just the consequence.”
Zaleski has called out Magny multiple times in the past and finally got his wish on four weeks’ notice. Magny lost his past two against up-and-comers Michael Morales and Carlos Prates, and was finished by both in the first round, but Zaleski sees an evolution in one aspect of Magny’s game.
“He was tested against everyone at the top of the division but I see an evolution in his grappling in recent years,” Zaleski said. “He’s a very good striker, has this efficient clinch in wrestling exchanges when he’s attacking. He has gotten better on the ground with good attacks and great defense.”
“Capoeira” wonders if Magny’s chin is still the same after so many years competing at the highest level, as a third of his UFC losses came by knockout, but he has the utmost respect for Magny. Zaleski scored four of his 11 UFC wins via knockout, including a 75-second finish over Zach Scroggin this past November.
“He has a beautiful legacy and it’s an honor for me to do this fight,” Zaleski said of Magny. “If you look at his stats, he has a lot of wins by decision, so I think we can end up going that route, but I do see myself getting a knockout or a submission. I think we can really explore that. I’m looking forward to once again showing what Elizeu Capoeira can do. I have the hunger, and I want to finish this fight and not let it go to the judges. Every fight I do in the UFC is challenging, but a good challenge to have me evolve and show my best.”
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