Jussier Formiga Wants To Get Back To Top Of Flyweight Division

In an interview with MMA Junkie, Jussier Formiga (18-3 MMA, 4-2 UFC) said that he’s hoping to get the win over Henry Cejudo (9-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) tonight at UFC Fight Night 78 and show people why he was once considered the best flyweight in the world. Here are highlights:

On reestablishing himself: “Maybe people don’t remember, but I was No. 1 in the division at one time, and I need to get back to that point, and that’s what I’m trying to do right now. This is a great moment in my career, thankfully. I’ve been able to find myself in the UFC. And now I’m facing another very good fighter, Henry Cejudo. It’s a very important fight for me. I want to add another victory in 2015 to my legacy and reach the top of the division. That’s my plan.”

On his fight with Cejudo: “I think he’s a very good opponent; he’s undefeated in MMA and an Olympic wrestling champion. That’s very motivating to me. I’m honored to face an Olympic champion. I’m happy with the work I put in to prepare for this fight. He’s a good fighter with a very high-level wrestling. But we we’re not competing in wrestling or jiu-jitsu. We’re fighting in MMA. So let’s see who bring the most weapons.”

On what happens with a win: “The winner could be the next one to fight for the belt, but I prefer not to think about that now. I prefer to be focus on my fight instead, which is what’s most important. I don’t want to bring that thought into the fight. I’m thinking of my weapons and my training camp, which was great. That’s what matters. Afterward, then we can think about what’s next in the UFC, or what we might say. It will be one of the best fights of my career. I have no doubt of that.”