Daniel Markos has set his sights on breaking into the official UFC rankings this year.
The unbeaten Peruvian bantamweight fighter has the opportunity to improve his record to 3-0 inside the Octagon this Saturday. Markos (15-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) is set to face Aoli Chiren (25-11 MMA, 3-3 UFC) in the opening round of UFC Fight Night 236 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Markos is confident that with a victory this Saturday and a few more wins throughout the year, he deserves a spot among the top 15 fighters in the bantamweight division.
“This year I set a goal to be in the top 15,” Markos told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “That’s what I set myself this year. I think I’m on a good path and going at a good pace. I’ll get even closer after this fight, I need to keep showing what I’m capable of.
“With two more wins, that’s what I have in mind with the team, and then we can be in the top 15. I think this year will go our way. That’s the goal. We’re looking for a win on February 10th and aiming for a place in or near the top 15.”
Markos is feeling more confident in the UFC Octagon now. With two fights and an arena show under his belt, he no longer feels like a rookie and is looking to solidify his position in the promotion this year.
When asked if he still felt like a rookie, Markos said: “That’s over. It’s behind me and of course there’s always nervousness and some fear, but that’s normal before a fight. I think I’ll be a champion in the future because I was born for this. This is the next one, this fight in a few days, where I can show all the progress I’ve made since my last fight.”
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