A few months ago, it looked like the Ricky Turcios vs. Raul Rosas Jr. fight had the potential to be a bit of a grudge match, but that no longer appears to be the case.
Turcios (12-3 MMA, 2-1 UFC) and Rosas Jr. (8-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) were originally scheduled to fight at UFC Fight Night in Mexico in February. However, minutes before the bout, with the event already underway, Rosas Jr. withdrew from the bout due to illness. Turcios was not happy about the cancellation and criticized Rosas.
Turcios no longer has any issues with Rosas Jr. as they fight at UFC on ESPN 57 on Saturday.
“The past is the past, you know what I'm saying?,” Turcios said at Wednesday's UFC on ESPN 57 media day. “I left the past behind in Mexico in February. I hit the reset button and now a new challenge is on the horizon.”
“That day is in the past now and I don't want to put any more energy into it. I was upset in Mexico but I looked in the mirror and I thought: 'I'm going to calm myself down. I'm going to calm myself down. I'm going to meditate and focus on what I can do.' I just had to reset, calm myself down and do what I need to do.”
Turcios is eager to finally return to action in a bout that was scheduled for nearly four months ago, and while he wants the finish, he's willing to go all three rounds if necessary.
“When I step into the Octagon this Saturday, there's just one more opponent standing in the way of my goals,” said Tarsius. “When I step into the Octagon, I have one goal and that's to win by any means necessary – whether that's by knockout, submission or, if I'm up against a really tough opponent, I'll go all the way to a decision.”
For more on the card, check out MMA Junkie's UFC on ESPN 57 event hub.
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