Bogdan
Guskov has revealed that his plan was to knock Ryan Spann
out in the second round of their UFC
on ESPN 55 clash.
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Guskov took a significant step up in competition against Spann in
the co-main event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Saturday. The
Uzbekistan native was easily taken down and controlled on the
ground by Spann in the opening round. However, Guskov turned the
tables in the second frame, coming from behind to score an upset
knockout over an exhausted Spann.
Guskov claimed that the manner of victory over Spann was
premeditated. Guskov had planned to concede the first round to
Spann, who would tire in the second round. Apart from being
surprised by the size of the visibly bigger “Superman,” Guskov
seemingly had an easy night at the office.
“You know, before fight we have small plan,” Guskov said at the
post-fight press conference. “Give first round [to] this guy [to]
work. Because on second round he [he would be a] little bit tired
and be very simple fighter. And finish him [in the] second round,
this [was] my goal, this is like plan [with] my team… Little bit
his size [surprised me], you know, big guy. Only this. But I wait,
[he had] no speed, like strong maybe… I’m strong too.”
Guskov is expected to enter the updated UFC rankings with his
victory over Spann. One of the three Uzbek fighters on the UFC
roster, it would be a matter of pride for Guskov to be the first
from his country to enter the promotion’s rankings.
“If I go to the top 15, I [would] be first fighter from Uzbekistan
who go to the top. This is history, this my history,” he said.
“From Uzbekistan have two more guys and I’m first and I’m very very
happy [in] this moment.”
Guskov also revealed that he is good friends with the two other
Uzbek UFC fighters, Makhmud
Muradov and Nursulton
Ruziboev, even though there is healthy competition between them
for achievements.
“Both guys, [are my] very good friends,” Guskov said.”Every time
[we are] talking, [supporting] each other. And this is like sport
competition for motivation, it’s good. I think it’s good.”