\n<\/p>\n
Rinya Nakamura has been away from the Octagon longer than he wanted, but he\u2019s finally healthy and ready to get back to work.<\/p>\n
After recovering from injury Nakamura returns at UFC Vegas 121 against Brady Hiestand on Saturday night, expecting a gritty fight and believing the finish will come if he stays in the moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a long time since he fought last time. I think he got through the many tough parts from get back (from) injury. As you can see in his fight he had (the) never give up spirit,\u201d Nakamura told reporters including Cageside Press on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\u201c(He\u2019ll) bring me into really deep waters fighting so I prepared for it. I can attack (in any) situation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nakamura\u2019s long layoff wasn\u2019t exactly by choice after dealing with some pretty significant injuries to his shoulder and knee. Now healthy again, he says he\u2019s coming into this fight feeling better than he ever has.<\/p>\n
\u201cI tore the tendon of my shoulder and MCL. That\u2019s why I took a long time since my last fight,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut my condition is best ever.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nakamura would love to put Hiestand away, but he\u2019s not going into the fight trying to force anything. For him, it\u2019s about staying in the moment and trusting that the finish will eventually show up.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course I want to finish opponent every time I fight, but just focusing on the present. Then finish comes after,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t try to focus on the knockout, I\u2019m going to submit him, just focus on the present. I believe finish comes after.\u201d<\/p>\n