Fabio Maldonado: I’m Gonna Really Put An A** Whooping On Miocic

Last seen dismantling Gian Villante at UFC Fight Night 38, light heavyweight Fabio Maldonado got a surprise booking when former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos was forced out of his The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 3 Finale bout against Stipe Miocic this Saturday night (May 31, 2014) from Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The ultra-tough Maldonado stepped in on short notice to face the world’s No. 7-ranked heavyweight, and while he’s not exactly promising a shocking victory, he can promise his usual slugfest. He told FOX Sports that win or lose, he’s going to give Miocic an “ass whooping:”

“I’m gonna really put an ass whooping on Miocic. I’m gonna hit him, I’m gonna get hit. I can’t promise to win. That’s a big promise. What I can promise is I’m going to leave my life inside that ring. Everybody can have their opinion. I respect people’s opinion. He is the favorite, but what would I tell my kids if I back down from a challenge like that?”

Maldonado has quickly established a reputation as one of the UFC’s toughest fighters during his recent three-fight win streak. His style is one of the more aggressive and entertaining ones out there, and it’s all spearheaded by his ability to absorb an ungodly amount of punishment to pressing forward. But he’s not here to put on a show. Apparently, he’s looking to make a run at the belt:

“I’m not coming here to entertain nobody. I’m looking to win the title. I know I’m going to have to do more than I did the last three fights. I’m going to be all over him. I’m going to hit him in the body, the head, wherever. I’m going to put pressure on him from the beginning to the end.”

There’s no doubt that Maldonado is going to apply constant pressure on Miocic, but given the heavyweight contender’s background as a Golden Gloves-winning boxer, he should have a much better chance than Maldonado’s past opponents.

The Brazilian slugger boasts a 22-0 professional boxing record of his own, potentially making this bout a war to remember.

However, if Maldonado truly wants to fight for the belt, he’s going to have to fight some top-level contenders at 205-pounds. Can he get past Miocic first?

Photo: Jason Silva for USA TODAY Sports