Antonio Carlos Junior Is Confident in His Evolution as a Fighter

Antonio Carlos Junior spoke with MMAjunkie ahead of his fight with Eric Spicely at UFC 212. Some highlights are below:

On his development as a fighter: “I think I’ve found myself and matured slowly in the event. My whole MMA career was in the UFC, which made it harder. I’ve been maturing and trying to get better in every aspect. I have a conviction that I can beat anyone. Only time and the fights will tell, but every day I’m learning, I’m changing what needs to be changed. I’m always open to changes. I know there are a lot of things I can improve on, and that’s what I’m seeking. Always learning, working on my flaws and my skills, so for sure you’re going to see an improved, more mature ‘Shoe Face’ with every fight. I know that I can beat anyone in the division on my best day. I just need to be prepared, and that’s what I’m doing. I’m training, maturing, and I’ll be ready for whoever’s in front of me.”

On Spicely: “He’s a tough guy, for sure, but I believe I have many ways in which to beat him. Everyone here has helped me out a lot. Din Thomas is very good at strategizing. We’ve been working together for the past two fights, and I’ve felt very good with him and Kelson (Pinto). This has made a big difference in my game. I think I’ve been fighting intelligently, I’ve been doing it right. We’ve been studying (Spicely’s) game a lot so we can get in there and have no surprises and make the most of the flaws he’s shown in his fights.”

On the state of the middleweight division: “No one’s an easy win. We’re in the biggest promotion in the world. Everyone in there is a tough fight. But like I said: On my best day, I believe I can beat anyone. Whoever it is – it can be a top-15, a top-10, the champion. Whomever it is, I’ll be ready. Because I know that in there, everyone is tough. I want to evolve with each day, get a bigger winning streak. I want to go into my third now, then fourth, fifth, and then make it to the top. I certainly want to be champion.”