It’s been a long time Daniel Barezand he can’t wait to step into the Octagon once again.
The Spanish standout was unable to follow through on his UFC debut due to injuries and personal issues, but those obstacles are now in the past, and Barez (16-6 MMA, 0-1 UFC) is hoping to receive a yellow card for the UFC Fight event. Night in Paris, France, on September 28th.
“I’m hoping that happens, fighting in France would be shit because it’s close to home,” Barez told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “I know it’s still a long trip because I’m preparing in Tijuana, but I can fight and then take a short flight home to be with my family.
“I would also be ready to fight in Las Vegas because it’s the same time as Tijuana, so I won’t have to deal with jet lag, but wherever they put me, I’ll be ready to give it my all.”
Barez was on a four-fight winning streak before being called up to face Jafel Filho at short notice at the UFC Fight Night event in London last July. Unfortunately for him, he lost the fight via submission in the first round.
Despite the defeat in his debut, inactive for almost a year and now 35 years old, Barez is not discouraged from standing out in the UFC. He believes the climb to the top of the flyweight division is difficult, but also short.
“It was a surprise to see (Steve Erceg) fight for the title with only three fights in the company, but he is also from Australia – which has a huge MMA fan base,” said Barez. “Regardless, he beat people in the rankings and earned the opportunity.
“I’m not here to waste time. My plan is to win the next fight and I can’t criticize anyone because I’m coming off a defeat at the last minute, and then I want to move up the ladder as quickly as possible. I want to fight the people in front of me.”
