How Bernardo Sopaj feels about new co-main role

LAS VEGAS – Bernardo Sopaj has designs on sooner or later being a UFC champion, so Saturday’s matchup with Ricky Turcios at UFC Fight Night 247 has a excessive diploma of significance.

Sopaj (11-3 MMA, 0-0 UFC), a 24-year-old bantamweight out of Albania, stumbled in his octagon debut in March when he was on the receiving finish of an all-time highlight reel flying knee knockout in opposition to Vinicius Oliveira after beginning the battle robust.

It was an unsightly strategy to be launched to the UFC, however an necessary lesson and setback for Sopaj. It didn’t deter his aim of being champion, however beginning 0-2 within the octagon would make his title trajectory that for much longer, though it’s been executed earlier than.

“(A victory is) only one step nearer to what I would like, one step nearer to the belt as a result of I’m right here to take the belt and nothing else,” Sopaj instructed MMA Junkie at Wednesday’s UFC Struggle Night time 247 media day. “I didn’t come right here to have a good time a victory. I didn’t come right here to say that I’m a UFC fighter. If I’d come right here for this it will be the incorrect choice. After I began with MMA I stated, ‘OK, if I wish to do that, I’ve to be the very best.’

“To be within the UFC, for me, is just the start. My aim is to be the very best, my aim is to get the belt and be the best fighter.”

Sopaj will look to safe his first octagon triumph when he takes on Turcios (12-4 MMA, 2-2 UFC) on the UFC Apex (ESPN+). His opponent brings an unorthodox type to the cage, but it surely’s not an method that breeds any concern from Sopaj.

“He’s an excellent all-around fighter,” Sopaj stated. “He has somewhat little bit of a bizarre type. He’s like a road fighter. However I consider I’m higher than him in all places. I’m a extra full fighter than him, stronger than him and extra technical.”

Initially, the matchup between Sopaj and Turcios was merely a bit of the six-fight most important card on Saturday. Then former champion Cody Garbrandt withdrew from the co-main event in opposition to Miles Johns, and the lineup was shifted with Sopaj vs. Turcios now within the co-headliner.

That’s a much bigger highlight for Sopaj, however he stated it’s solely enhancing his motivation to ship a spectacular efficiency.

“No stress,” Sopaj stated. “I really feel excellent, very assured. This provides me additional pleasure. I really feel excellent. I discovered about this (on Tuesday) and I really feel excellent about it. I’m blissful. … I really feel excellent. I’m very grateful.”

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC Fight Night 247.