Leonardo Santos Says His Head Is In The Right Place For UFC 204

In an interview with MMA Junkie, Leonardo Santos (15-3-1 MMA, 4-0-1 UFC) spoke about his UFC 204 fight against Adriano Martins (28-7 MMA, 4-1 UFC). It happens at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England. The main card airs on PPV after preliminary fights on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass. Here are highlights:

On his fight with Kevin Lee at UFC 194: “It was a tough fight. Kevin Lee is someone who keeps getting better in the promotion. He was coming off a four-fight win streak in the UFC. I broke that win streak. I saw the opportunity. I saw the moment when I could land a solid strike. I know he likes to press forward. It’s the impetus of youth. I just waited for the right moment. I didn’t waste my chance.”

On how he’s better now: “I think it’s a matter of experience. With time, you get used to things. The enormity of an MMA event can be overwhelming at first. I have my head in the right place. I’m very relaxed and I feel more at home each time I step into the octagon. It’s a matter of dedication, hard work, giving my best and having fun along the way. That’s what it takes nowadays.”

On tonight’s fight with Martins: “I’ve already studied Adriano. He’s very strong. He hits hard. He’s a lefty. I’ll put emphasis on my game. I’ll force him into jiu-jitsu. I know he’s good on the ground. I’ll keep an eye on his left hand, since he’s strong, fast and aggressive. He’s tough and experienced. It will be a great fight. My goal is to be in the top 10. I don’t know the criteria used by the UFC, but with another victory, I’ll get in there, for sure. I’m just looking to enjoy myself and do my job. Anything else is a consequence of that. Ours is one of the most packed weight classes, so it’s hard to stand out. I’ll just keep doing what I enjoy, which is fighting.”