Carlos Leal, a Brazilian welterweight with a 1-1 record in the UFC, views his octagon record differently. He’s set to face Muslim Salikhov at UFC Abu Dhabi. Leal is determined to secure a decisive victory and erase the memory of a controversial loss.
Leal is aiming to leave no doubt in the judges’ minds. He seeks to dominate Salikhov and position himself for bigger opportunities in the UFC’s welterweight division. The fight carries extra weight due to Leal’s previous experience in Abu Dhabi, where he felt unfairly judged in a prior bout.
This article delves into Leal’s mindset, his preparations for Salikhov, and his aspirations for the future. It also highlights the importance of this fight in shaping his UFC career.
Leal’s Motivation and Mindset
Carlos Leal is using his controversial loss to Rinat Fakhretdinov as motivation. He aims to leave no room for doubt in his upcoming fight against Muslim Salikhov. Leal believes he won his previous fight in Abu Dhabi. The judges gave the fight to Fakhretdinov.
Leal said, “I put this pressure, this weight over myself. And I didn’t turn down the fight knowing it was on the same place. ‘I have to go there, I have a history there.’ It should have been a perfect story but I was hurt by the judges, so I have to go there and show the UFC I won’t be like, ‘Oh, I’m not fighting this guy on that place.’”
Leal wants to prove he’s a reliable fighter willing to compete anywhere. He feels added pressure to finish Salikhov. Leal believes he needs to win decisively to avoid another potential judging controversy. The experience has fueled his determination to make a statement in the welterweight division.
Reflecting on the Fakhretdinov Fight
Leal maintains that he has two wins in the UFC. He dismisses any disagreement as ignorance. The controversial decision fueled his desire to dominate future opponents.
“After I saw the repercussion, it only made me know more that I had won the fight,” Leal said. “It’s what I tell everybody. I have two fight and two wins in the UFC. Who disagrees with that can just go back and watch the fight. … I was happy with my performance because I took the Rinat fight during that week. I wasn’t even training to fight someone like him and still put on a good fight. That loss put me over more than anything else.”
Leal took the Fakhretdinov fight on short notice. He considers his performance a victory despite the official outcome. The experience taught him valuable lessons about preparation and the importance of leaving no doubt in the judges’ minds.
The Knockout Victory Over Morono
Following the Fakhretdinov fight, Leal secured a first-round knockout victory over Morono. He is carrying the same aggressive mindset into the Salikhov fight. He intends to impose his will and dictate the terms of the match.
“I’m in the world’s biggest promotion, and I need to show I’m one of the best in the world,” Leal said. “That was my mindset after the Rinat fight. Not only for the Morono fight, but also this one. I’m coming with the same mindset especially because of where this is, of me needing to end this before the decision. And if it goes the distance, it has to be a bigger beatdown than the one on Rinat.”
Leal’s victory over Morono demonstrated his finishing ability. He seeks to replicate that performance against Salikhov. The knockout win boosted his confidence. It reinforced his belief that he belongs among the best in the welterweight division.
Assessing Muslim Salikhov’s Strengths
Leal acknowledges that Salikhov is a skilled striker. However, he believes his muay thai skills will be the deciding factor. He plans to use his striking to control the distance and pace of the fight.
“I have to be more smart when I close the distance, especially early in the fight, because that’s when he’s more dangerous,” Leal said. “I like to start the fight feeling my opponent’s speed and power. Against Morono, when he started landing punches and kicks, I realized I was faster than him. I was seeing his movement. As my coach says, ‘He’s in slow motion, unleash your game now.’”
Leal’s strategy involves adapting to Salikhov’s strengths early. He plans to exploit openings as the fight progresses. He believes his versatility and striking power will overwhelm Salikhov. He aims to secure a dominant victory.
Leal’s Strategy for the Salikhov Fight
Leal’s approach involves a calculated aggression. He will test Salikhov’s speed and power early. If he finds an advantage, he will increase the pressure. If Salikhov proves dangerous, he will be more cautious, forcing Salikhov to expend energy before capitalizing.
“That’s how I’ll start with Salikhov. If I see I’m a step ahead of him, I’ll push the pace just like I did against Morono. If I see he’s dangerous, that his hands are fast and strong, I’ll be more cautious with my approach and force him to burn fuel early and then expose himself. But the goal is always the same: show that my striking is on another level. Fight a dangerous striker and knock him out. That’s the main goal. I know he’s been knocked out before, and I want to show I’m on a different level.
The ultimate goal is to showcase his superior striking skills. He wants to knock out a dangerous opponent. Leal believes a decisive win over Salikhov will elevate his status in the UFC.
Aspirations for Ranked Opponents
Leal sees the Salikhov fight as an opportunity to prove he deserves ranked opponents. He believes he has the skills to become a champion. He aims to make a statement with his performance.
“I’m sure the UFC will see me with other eyes [after this win],” he continued. “It’s an opportunity to ask the UFC to test me against ranked fighters because I have all it takes to become the champion of this division. But it all depends not only on the win, but how I win. I’ll show I’m not just another fighter to take part in the UFC. I’m here to write my name in history as one of the greatest.”
He wants to show that he’s not just another UFC fighter. He believes he can make history as one of the greatest. His future in the UFC hinges on making a significant impact.
Conclusion
Carlos Leal’s upcoming fight against Muslim Salikhov at UFC Abu Dhabi is pivotal. He seeks to erase the memory of a controversial loss. He wants to secure a dominant victory. Leal aims to prove he belongs among the welterweight division’s elite.
Leal’s mindset, strategy, and aspirations underscore the significance of this fight. He is driven by a desire to control his narrative. He aims to demonstrate his skills. He wants to make a statement in the UFC.
A decisive win over Salikhov could open doors to ranked opponents and title contention. Leal’s journey reflects the challenges and opportunities within the world of MMA. He strives to establish himself as a top contender. He wants to leave a lasting legacy in the sport.
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