LAS VEGAS, NV — Middleweight Armen Petrosian had a lot on his hands with Christian Leroy Duncan at UFC Vegas 75.
Duncan, a former basketball player, threw everything but the kitchen sink into the Armenian lead, using a wide range of spin attacks and unorthodox offense.
After the fight, Petrosian told the media, including Cageside Press, what prevented him from finding the finish line in the bout.
“To be honest, I was planning to finish it, I thought I would,” Petrosian (8-2) admitted, speaking through a translator. “I almost did it, I almost got him out of there, but the reason I didn’t was because how strong he was. He was so funky, so hard to figure out, and I think because of that, he has a really good future ahead of him.”
Next for Petrosyan, if he gets what he wants, is a fight at UFC 294 in October in Abu Dhabi. The 32-year-old is targeting a ranked opponent, although that doesn’t particularly interest him.
“I like to fight in Abu Dhabi in October. I’ll be in good shape by then,” Petrosian said. “This camp was very long because the opponent switched, so it was hard in the end to keep preparing and keep fit. But other than that, Abu Dhabi in October, I’d like to fight with anyone in the top 15.”
Armen Petrosyan was originally expected to face Andrei Petrosky at UFC 288 last month, until Petrosky pulled out. From now on, Petrosyan repeated, anyone with a number will do so.
“Anybody, really. Now, [Jared] Canon’er is about to fight [Marvin] Vittori, I can take either. Anyone in the fifteenth position. I don’t see any kind of obstacle in front of me, I think I can separate any of these guys. Even whoever is in the top 15 right now I don’t think he has too much of a challenge for me.”
Cannonier, who won the main event on Saturday, has stated that he won’t be fighting in the rankings, so at least that option appears to be off the table.
Watch the full appearance of the UFC Vegas 75 post-fight press conference by Armen Petrosian above.