UFC: Francis said that you’re a really smart fighter and that you’ve continue to improve since the two of you fought. Do you think he has improved?
CB: I think he’s shown he can be smart but his last two fights he didn’t. I hope he comes as the best version of himself so when I win there won’t be any excuses.
UFC: Where do you believe that there is an advantage for you in this fight?
CB: Biggest advantage I feel that I have over him is my conditioning advantage. I live in Denver, Colorado so I train at 5500-5800 feet elevation every day. I know he has moved back to Paris and I don’t think they have over like 800 feet of elevation so I should have the conditioning advantage.
UFC: You’re a soft spoken guy but transform right as soon as the door closes. How do you do hit that switch?
CB: Money is on the line. Paycheck. Now that I’ve become a dad I can’t afford any let downs. I have a daughter and have to provide for her.
UFC: What’s the biggest difference between this fight and the first one?
CB: The biggest difference between this fight and last fight is that when I get the takedown I know what to do with it now. I know where I should put my hands, I know where to position myself in order to effectively hold him down and strike at the same time.
UFC: Francis wants to prove that he is better on the ground than people think. What do you think about that?
CB: I’d love to put that to the test.
Make sure you tune in to watch Curtis Blaydes run it back with Francis Ngannou in the main event of UFC Beijing. The main card starts at 3:30/6:30 am ETPT on UFC Fight Pass.
Gavin Porter is a writer and producer for UFC.com, follow him on Twitter at @PorterUFCNews.
