MMA
'Used to the heat!' - Mario Bautista ready for desert frontier with overseas bow at UFC 321
Joseph Parker vs. Fabio Wardley only on DAZN PPV
Mario Bautista hopes he can weather a new frontier when he fights for the first time outside his home country at UFC 321 this weekend.
The Nevada-born star takes on former UFC Bantamweight Championship challenger Umar Nurmagomedov in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
Bautista, who improved to 16-2 with a sixth straight victory at UFC 316 in June against Patchy Mix, is hoping to upset the pre-bout odds.
But for the star, his first trip abroad has presented fresh challenges in how he prepares for his latest fight week after a domestic career.
"It's kind of warm and humid, but coming from Phoenix, you're kind of used to the heat,"Â he exclusively told DAZN News. "I'm ready to go.
"I'd say it's been a smooth transition. I've had coaches that have travelled all over the world and I've had coaches that have been abroad.
"We've discussed what to do, how to acclimitise to the time, this and that. I'm used to it. Sleep is a priority and it hasn't been too bad.
"I've been through many fight weeks and I'm fully focused. I've never missed weight, and it's never been an issue for me. Everything's on point."
Watch Parker vs Wardley live on DAZN
Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley fight on Saturday, October 25, to become the WBO mandatory challenger to Oleksandr Usyk. Watch the fight and undercard live and exclusive on DAZN PPV.
