Brady Hiestand has spent two years away from the cage, but don’t confuse being out of competition with sitting around doing nothing.
With his knee healthy and plenty of work put in behind the scenes, Hiestand returns at UFC Vegas 121 against Rinya Nakamura on Saturday looking to show off a different version of himself and put that “unmatched” pace to work.
“I’m excited to be back. I think that’s the biggest emotion, just excited to be back, and show what I’ve improved on. I’ve been out for two years, but I haven’t been out from training for two years,” Hiestand told reporters including Cageside Press on Wednesday.
“I’m going to show up as a different fighter. Excited to show that on Saturday.”
“I got some weak knees I guess, but I tell everyone the first ACL lasted me 24 years, and so this one’s got another 20 years left. I think i’ll be just fine. I tested it in training all the time. We go hard up in Spokane,” he said.
“We train hard and so this fight’s going to be no different. I don’t think I’m going to be testing it. I’m just going to be showing it.”
Hiestand knows Nakamura brings some serious wrestling and power, but he’s not changing who he is because of it. He believes his pace is what separates him, and the plan is to keep pushing until Nakamura can’t keep up.
“I think everyone in the UFC’s dangerous and they’re well-rounded. They’re good everywhere. This guy obviously has some high level wrestling, he’s got some knockout power, but I prepare the same way,” said Hiestand.
“I know my pace is unmatched. I can go out there and break anybody, and that’s just what I’m planning on doing.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Brady Hiestand above. He faces Riyna Nakamura at UFC Vegas 121 on Saturday night.