\n<\/p>\n
Brady Hiestand has spent two years away from the cage, but don\u2019t confuse being out of competition with sitting around doing nothing.<\/p>\n
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 \u201cunmatched\u201d pace to work.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m excited to be back. I think that\u2019s the biggest emotion, just excited to be back, and show what I\u2019ve improved on. I\u2019ve been out for two years, but I haven\u2019t been out from training for two years,\u201d Hiestand told reporters including Cageside Press on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to show up as a different fighter. Excited to show that on Saturday.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI got some weak knees I guess, but I tell everyone the first ACL lasted me 24 years, and so this one\u2019s got another 20 years left. I think i\u2019ll be just fine. I tested it in training all the time. We go hard up in Spokane,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe train hard and so this fight\u2019s going to be no different. I don\u2019t think I\u2019m going to be testing it. I\u2019m just going to be showing it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hiestand knows Nakamura brings some serious wrestling and power, but he\u2019s 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\u2019t keep up.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think everyone in the UFC\u2019s dangerous and they\u2019re well-rounded. They\u2019re good everywhere. This guy obviously has some high level wrestling, he\u2019s got some knockout power, but I prepare the same way,\u201d said Hiestand.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know my pace is unmatched. I can go out there and break anybody, and that\u2019s just what I\u2019m planning on doing.\u201d<\/p>\n