Aaron Aby returns to action at the highly-anticipated OKTAGON 52 card as he harbours ambitions of becoming a champion.
Aby's dreams of winning the OKTAGON flyweight title were dashed after a doctor stoppage forced him out of his clash against Elias Garcia at OKTAGON 48 last November.
While he has unfinished business with Garcia, the Welshman insists the belt is what he's hellbent on claiming this year.
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"For me, that belt is my priority and my number one target. It was never about me versus Garcia, it was a dream you have when you start to become a world champion on the biggest show in Europe," he told OKTAGON.
"That belt is always what I wanted. I want the fight with Garcia back, but the belt is more important. I could have sat on the sideline and waited for whenever he feels he is ready, but that is not in my control, so I wanted to just get straight back out there and go again.
"It is a shame, and I don't want to focus on him too much when I have another tough opponent in front of me. I've had some of the biggest names in the sport coming up to me and asking if I am getting the rematch. Dan Hardy, Brendan Loughnane, people in the UFC, they have all come up to me and asked when I'm going to fight for the belt again.
"Part of me thought then it wouldn't happen, but I was just praying and hoping to get that opportunity to fight for the belt again. Unfortunately, I would be surprised if it happened in April now at all. Fighting for the world title is more important than waiting for my chance at getting revenge."
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Aby, who was on a two-fight winning streak before his defeat to Garcia, faces submission specialist Christopher Daniel, who makes his OKTAGON debut having won his last fight by submission - a 50 second victory against Abdiel Velazquez.
Aby likes the stylistic match-up against the American as he welcomes his opponent's coveted ground game.
"I've watched his fights and I think it is an intriguing match-up," he added. "Stylistically, it is going to be a really good contest because he is very good off of his back and applying top pressure, with ground and pound and jiu-jitsu is my bread and butter. So, it will be a case of who can implement their game plan on the other fighter first.
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"His striking looks good as well, and he is very active with his submissions, but the fight starts on the feet every single round and I am looking to play it out there and then take my strengths up against his strengths. I feel like I have got to be switched on in favourable positions for myself, because he can offer threats and attacks from there as well which could be really dangerous.
"Whoever can perform best on the night is going to come out with the victory."
Aby is hoping all roads lead to Garcia providing he wins in Newcastle this weekend.
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Ahead of a potential blockbuster rematch under the OKTAGON banner, he believes his rival has been running from a second meeting in the cage.
"I agreed to fight Elias on November 13th, which was a week after Newcastle, but he needed another week to make up his mind. A week went by, and we didn't hear anything, so my team and I pushed for a response. He needed another week to decide, but we still didn't hear anything at the end of the time window either," he said.
"I've not been putting anything on my socials during this time, because I didn't know what was going on with him just in case he was going through something. But he then needed another week to decide. OKTAGON wanted the fight, we wanted the fight and I'm starting to spend money on my camp. Christmas is coming up and I'm not making any plans because I want to remain professional throughout.
"Just let me know, because I'm a professional. I understand it can be tough to spend time away from your family at Christmas and lock yourself into a training camp that you've put money into. But I thought he was being unprofessional to not say anything.
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"That was the disrespectful part, just from a human aspect, it's almost a Sunday League mindset from him and his team."
Aby vs. Daniel isn't the only huge fight at OKTAGON 52 as Matej Penaz takes on Matthew Bonner while Jonas Magard vs. Jack Cartwright tops the card from Newcastle.
Topics: UFC
Nasir Jabbar