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<h3><a href="/go=news.detail&gid=324146" target="_blank">
Danny Downes discusses fighting outside the UFC
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<strong class="ArticleSource">[heavy.com]</strong>
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For a fighter under contract with the UFC, getting to compete outside of the Octagon can be like playing with a double-edged sword.
On one hand, no one likes sitting on the sidelines for an indefinite length of time, waiting for the division to sort itself out and provide you with an opening. On the other hand, being the UFC fighter headlining a regional show against a heavy underdog means getting a win isn’t good enough; you need to earn the victory in impressive fashion. After all, you’re a UFC fighter; you’re supposed to win.
That is the reality facing Danny Downes later tonight.
Having last fought in December against Tie Quan Zhang, the long-time Duke Roufus trainee will headline North American Fighting Championship: Mayhem in his adopted hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Eager to get back into the cage and without a trip into the Octagon on the horizon, Downes jumped at the chance to shake off the ring rust and take a fight.
“I hadn’t planned on fighting outside the UFC, but the opportunity presented itself a couple weeks ago. Duke (Roufus) asked me if I wanted to take a fight and I said, `Well yeah, I’m always down for a fight.’ I wish I knew how the negotiations and things like that went down, but that’s why I tell people management gets its cut; they took care of that stuff.
“I didn’t know how long I would be waiting around, so it’s nice to get a fight. It’s important to stay sharp; you can spar, you can train, you can do as many sprints as you want, but nothing can compare to actually getting into the cage and having a fight.”
Though he’s grateful for the opportunity, Downes also knows that accepting a fight outside of the UFC comes with heightened expectations, especially fighting in Milwaukee.
“There is definitely added pressure being in the main event of a hometown fight. Obviously, a lot more people are coming to see you. Going into this, I’m the favorite, so I can’t just win; I have to win and win decisively. There is always a lot of anticipation and pressure leading up to it, but once you get in the cage and they shut that door, all bets are off. Then the training and my ability will take over.”