MMA
'Just had this dream!' - Mario Bautista reflects on mixed martial arts journey ahead of UFC 321 crunch clash
Joseph Parker vs. Fabio Wardley only on DAZN PPV
Mario Bautista will not let his MMA achievements take his feet off the ground as he prepares to face Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 321.
The Arizona-based fighter takes on the onetime UFC Bantamweight Championship contender in Abu Dhabi this weekend in a crunch clash.
At 16-2 across his professional career so far, Bautista has established himself as one of the division's top operators over recent years.
But ahead of his first fight on foreign soil, he insists that there are no airs and graces, with unwavering focus regardless of his opponent.
"It feels great," he exclusively told DAZN News. "It's been a long journey with all the work I've put in. I started in MMA twelve years ago.
"I've just had this dream this whole time. Things have been coming true, and that's through hard work, dedication and being consistent.
"You have confidence from but I try not to let it get to my head. I know what got me there, and it's hard work pushing it, being dedicated.
"I treat every camp the same. Whether they're high level guys or not. I treat them the same and I prepare for the best version of those guys."
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.
