(PRESS RELEASE) -- One of the most experienced Croatian MMA fighters, Igor Pokrajac, who has been a member of the world's best MMA organization for five years now, will step into the UFC Octagon once again at the very end of this year. Pokrajac will try to break his streak of four losses by a new performance at the UFC Fight Night 58 that will take place December 20 in Sao Paolo, Brazil. The official UFC Portal, that is, their Brazilian version, this Tuesday announced that Pokrajac is to fight Marcos Rogerio de Lima.
Is information about the match correct?
"Yes, I got an email from Joe Silva who confirmed my match on December 20 in Sao Paolo against De Lima where I am to fight in the main event of the preliminary fights, “confirmed The Duke.
Unfortunately, his wish to fight in Europe did not come true.
“I wanted a fight on neutral ground since this is my third or fourth fight in a row that I fight on my opponent's territory. However, I already became an expert in that and it won't be a pressure“, explained the Croatian record holder when it comes to matches in UFC.
This will be Pokrajac's second fight in Brazil in a row. He revealed more about his first Brazil experience...
“I lost that match, so I don't have nice memories about it, but this is my chance to make it up. When it comes to my preps, FFC fighter Tomislav Spahović has been a great help and thanks to him now I have more confidence in my wrestling skills. So far, Tomo is the toughest MMA fighter with wrestling background I ever sparred with.“
Because of the different climate and different time zone, Pokrajac will fly to Brazil earlier to adapt.
“This time I will go to Brazil earlier because of the 6 hours’ time difference. I will try to go there eight days before the match in order to adapt and to overcome jet leg.”
Pokrajac also commented on his opponent De Lima.
“He comes from the Ultimate Fighter and in his only UFC match he fought against other TUF fighter. He prefers stand-up, and I find his match against Mike Kyle in Strikeforce the most interesting so far. He lost that match but he scored a few victories after that. UFC never gave me easy opponents, this is no exception. I will do my best to win and to invite the UFC leaders to come to Croatia with my arm in the air“, said The Duke.