UFC on ESPN 69's Mansur Abdul-Malik explains why he's 'disgusted' with all of his fights
UFC on ESPN 69's Mansur Abdul-Malik explains why he's 'disgusted' with all of his fights
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UFC Atlanta: Mansur Abdul-Malik media day interview
Mansur Abdul-Malik speaks to reporters at the UFC Atlanta media day.
ATLANTA – Mansur Abdul-Malik has yet to taste defeat in his professional fighting career and has finished every opponent that he's faced. Somehow, that's not good enough.
Abdul-Malik (8-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) is incredibly tough on himself, which is probably why his record is unblemished, even if he's not happy with what he's put on film thus far. At UFC on ESPN 69 (ESPN, ESPN+), the self-described "man of extra" will get an opportunity to turn in a performance he can be happy with when he takes on Cody Brundage at State Farm Arena.
"I feel like I've lost eight times in a row," Abdul-Malik told MMA Junkie and other reporters at media day. "In my mind, I'm absolutely disgusted with every single performance that I've had leading up to this one. So, I want to dominate even more. I want to be cleaner, I want to be more precise, I want to be more perfect each and every single time. In the most truthful way. A lot of people might say that, but when I look back on prior experiences and prior fights, I'm like, 'Who is that guy? That's not me. That's not the person that was just training yesterday.'
"So, I'm excited to show what I am now. I'm excited to show my new techniques. I'm excited to show who I truly am. Each and every single fight is a growing experience when you're inside that cage. Building that experience. Getting that relevant experience. Opening yourself up more, being more comfortable inside the octagon. This is going to be a new start. It's going to be absolutely beautiful, and I cannot wait to perform. To absolultely perform. To be happy. To be empty inside that cage, and to be free."
Brundage (11-6 MMA, 5-5 UFC) will play his part in making it a tough outing for Abdul-Malik, as he enters with high confidence following a first-round knockout of Julian Marquez in March. Abdul-Malik credits his opponent for being well-rounded, but not on his level.
"I see him as good – he's a good fighter everywhere," Abdul-Malik said. "I match up against him very, very well. I'm just better than him in all areas, I feel. No arrogance, no cockiness – truly, from relevant experience from what I see in myself in the gym. From my prior experiences, from my prior fights, I feel that I am better."
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