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Los Angeles \u2014 Kicking off the main card at UFC 331 in L.A. on Saturday, light heavyweight Alonzo Menifield is the next test for the undefeated Iwo Baraniewski.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a match-up that Menfield (18-6-1) knew might arrive some day, he explained during Wednesday\u2019s UFC 331 media day.<\/p>\n
\u201cI watch all the 205\u2019ers. When I seen him, I\u2019m like \u2018yeah you know, it\u2019s a possibility,’\u201d recalled Menifield, speaking with media outlets including Cageside Press. \u201cWhen they said \u2018this guy\u2019s available, you\u2019ve got to take it or you\u2019ve got to wait,\u2019 I said \u2018I\u2019ll take it.\u2019 So here we are.\u201d<\/p>\n
Menifield himself was once the fighter who was undefeated, on an impressive KO streak. That gives him unique insight into where Baraniewski is at in his career.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I\u2019m thinking about me, I\u2019m just trying to get in there and win, and put everyone away. So if he\u2019s thinking like that, from experience, you\u2019ve got to adjust. So that\u2019s what I\u2019m going to show him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Baraniewski sees the fight as either Alonzo Menifield rushing in or countering, or potentially a brawl. Menifield doesn\u2019t disagree.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf he sees it like that, cool with me. I see it the same way. But a brawl, I\u2019m a lot cleaner than the people who\u2019s been fighting, or I can be. And I know I can be sloppy, but this camp we\u2019ve focused on being clean, staying in the pocket, moving the hips with the punches. So it should be a nice fight for me.\u201d<\/p>\n