LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Chris Gutierrez[/autotag] is very happy to fight this weekend.
Gutierrez’s return this Saturday at UFC on ESPN 61 – which marks his first fight in 2024 – was almost cancelled, as his original fight against Javid Basharat fell through just days before the event. Fortunately for Gutierrez (20-6-2 MMA, 8-3-1 UFC), the UFC has found a replacement in the undefeated LFA standout [autotag]Quang Le[/autotag].
“I’m happy to have an opponent because I think another day or two later he would have been scratched and it was already postponed a week before so I was excited,” Gutierrez said at Wednesday’s UFC on ESPN 61 media day. “He stepped forward, and at this point, it doesn’t matter who it is.”
Gutierrez admits he doesn’t know much about Le, given the booking was announced on Tuesday. But from what little he knows, he was impressed by the Vietnamese fighter.
“8-0, very young in the sport, but you know, he has talent,” Gutierrez said. “He’s got a good right hand. I don’t know much about him. He comes from other organizations and has been progressing, and he got the call, so let’s see what he’s doing.”
When it comes to strategy, Gutierrez doesn’t believe much has changed for him, despite fighting with a different style. At the end of the day, a fight is a fight.
“I mean, it’s a fight,” Gutierrez explained. “It’s one-twos, takedowns, kicks, it’s all the same thing. I just believe in my training and what I’m capable of. That’s how I prepare.”
For more information on the card, visit the MMA Junkie events hub to UFC on ESPN 61.
This article was originally published on MMA Junkie: Chris Gutierrez Unfazed by Late Opponent Change Ahead of UFC on ESPN 61
