Quebecer Marc-André Barriault is preparing to face Chidi Njokuani in just over a week, on February 5 in Las Vegas.
Although Njokuani (20-7) is making his UFC debut, he has plenty of experience.
“He’s definitely making his UFC debut, but he’s not a newcomer to mixed martial arts. He still made big fights and finals in Bellator,” Barriault clarified on the podcast. In the cage Tuesday. “He and his brother (Anthony) have been hanging out in combat sports for years, especially kickboxing and muay thai. When I was offered this fight, like every time, it’s a bit to see what I have inside me because I’m always presented with different styles. I just took it as another nice challenge and I feel on top right now. »
Barriault has lost his first three fights in the UFC, but is coming off a back-to-back win, most recently by unanimous decision against Dalcha Lungiambula. He felt a click with his very first victory, the result of a whole mental process.
“I really made a reset with myself after my first three fights. It was experience fights that I kind of escaped, but not because I got outplayed. As soon as I started to really put that behind me and look forward to find what was taking me, I was able to reconnect with the Marc-André that got me where I am. Now I’m there, and if I want to stay there, I have to make adjustments. I have a vision in mind and I want to keep bringing out the best in myself. »
“I’ve never been the best technician, I’m a performer and I’m a guy who runs on confidence. I’ve often been the underdog, even at TKO. But I believed in it and I took up the challenge. That’s what I remembered when I regained control of myself. There, I go deep. »
Barriault continues to train with the Sanford MMA team and Henri Hooft in Florida, while keeping close contact with his Quebec partners. He feels better surrounded and better equipped than ever for his next duel.
“I can get my hands on all kinds of opponents and there are several with the same style of my next fight, big standing fight guy. But there are plenty of wrestlers and jiu jitsu guys too. It’s a game changer for me to stick to this skewer of high-level fighters. That boosted more my confidence, because there is not much that will be able to surprise me in the fight, so I will be able to let go.
“We expect him (Njokuani) to be a little evasive, to want to touch me and then walk away, and to work in angles a little flashy. I really need to be alert. He’s got a good back jab and he’s good with his knees. But this is not something unknown to me. I also have a style of striking particular that I will be able to apply. I really improved also at the level of takedowns and ground and pound. I’m ready to take a beating and my physical condition is at its best. »
