LAS VEGAS – Victor Altamirano rides into UFC on ESPN 45 with the momentum of a two-fight winning streak and the confidence instilled by fighting ranked opposition in what will be his fourth promotional bout.
On Saturday at the UFC Apex, Altamirano (12-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) faces former UFC flyweight title challenger Tim Elliott (18-12-1 MMA, 7-10 UFC) on the main card.
Fighting someone with a number in the official UFC rankings delights Altamirano, who has full faith he’s on the right track to move up the ladder.
“There’s no risk without reward,” Altamirano told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a news conference Wednesday. “There’s no glory without a challenge. If that’s what we’re aiming for, if that’s what we want, then we have to be able to do things that are required to do so.
“Taking (a step) into the rankings, going into the fight with higher ranked opponents, that’s what is required for us to grow. That is what is required of us to climb the ladder and achieve what it is that we want. We want glory. We want legacy. We want the championship. So if I say I want that, I better show it with my words and my actions.”
Elliott, 36, challenged then-champion Demetrious Johnson for the promotion’s 125-pound at the TUF 24 Finale in December 2016. Despite a unanimous decision defeat, Elliott multiplied his fanbase with his gutsy showing and whacky fighting style.
Since then, Elliott has established the reputation as one of the trickier puzzles to figure out. His movement and unorthodox strikes are not duplicated. For Altamirano, however, the challenges Elliott presents are the same all his opponents bring.
“It’s all about rhythm,” Altamirano said. “It’s really impossible to say I’m going to expect this technique and I’m going to expect this sort of movement. It’s very difficult to be able to predict exactly what someone is going to do.
“The most important part of understanding a fight is to understand the rhythm. When are they going to do something? If you can anticipate when, then your skills will take care of the rest and navigate you through the skills required to defend a specific technique. All you have to do is make sure you’re in rhythm and you’re ready for the win.”
Should he win, Altamirano doesn’t know where he’ll land in the rankings. He has his sights set on one goal and that’s the be champion.
“We’re going for No. 1,” Altamirano said. “That is the ultimate goal. That is why we’re fighting. That’s why we took Tim Elliott on a semi-short notice. That is why we took him two weeks after my fight. That’s why, because we want to make sure we make it to the top. ”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 45.
