“No matter where this fight takes place it’s going to be both of us trying to take each other out bell-to-bell and I think that’s what the fans love. I think he brings a lot of really good tools to the table. He’s no slouch on the feet, but I think that’s where I do hold a lot of the advantages,” Pena said. “I’m looking to get my hand raised and not off of some decision; I want some sort of violent finish.”
One of the main things fueling Pena to deliver a standout performance was his feelings toward his last fight with Khama Worthy. Pena was disappointed with his performance, not because he was finished for the first time in his career, but because he felt like he gave up during the bout.
That thought has been on the mind of Pena for 10 months, it gave him motivation in training, and it helped him rediscover his passion for the grind. And now he’s chomping at the bit to perform the way he knows he is capable of performing.
“I’ll walk away from the Octagon [on Saturday] satisfied as long as I leave my heart in the cage. As long as I go out there, I give everything I can and there is not one last of drop of anything I can give in there, I will be satisfied with myself,” Pena said. “I can fully admit that I didn’t do that in the Khama Worthy fight and I’m prepared to go out there and go out on my shield this time.”
Make sure you tune in to watch UFC Fight Night: Whittaker Vs Gastelum on ESPN+ at 10pm ET/7pm PT.
