Kevin Casey Says Rafael Natal is a Step Up in Competition

Kevin Casey spoke with MMAjunkie about his fight with Rafael Natal at UFC on FOX 18 and more. Check out the highlights:

On taking a fight on quick turnaround after just being cleared from a retina tear at UFC FIght Night 80: “I don’t know what (the UFC’s) rationale was behind this matchup, but they said they had an opening available. I feel like this is a better fight for me. I think it’s a step up in competition. I think Natal has more momentum.”

On trying to avoid big weight cuts: “I don’t know what way to handle it at this point, other than to go out there and get my body as close I can to weight, and ultimately leave it in God’s hands.”

On applying for therapeutic-use exemptions to rehydrate with an IV, which were denied: “Through the investigations of my physicians, they determined that I do have some kidney damage there and that it would be in my best interest to use an IV to rehydrate, just so the time that I’m dehydrated is a lot less…Apparently, they felt I didn’t submit enough evidence or enough backup to support this (exemption). But I feel like if you’re hospitalized two times, you should have enough history to prove that you need the exemption.”

On whether his suspension for drostanolone played a part in the denial: “I’ve gone so far as to tell them I will submit to a drug test, urine test, blood test, before using the IV. That cancels out whatever issue they’re having with that. It just feels like a battle I can’t win.”

On the fight: “I’m going out there to do my best and impose my will. This is one of those things I never, ever thought about, because it never happened to me. I guess I’ll just keep my hands up a little bit higher.”