While everything has been positive throughout his training camp and during his migration to middleweight, the real test comes Saturday night, when he makes the walk to the Octagon for the first time in his new weight class, where he’ll face off with a divisional stalwart.
“It’s a good fight — he’s been around and fought a few guys that I train with,” Cirkunov said of Jotko. “I think it’s a good matchup and I’m very excited to face him on Saturday.”
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The pairing should serve as an instant measuring stick of where the former light heavyweight contender fits within the 185-pound hierarchy, as Jotko has been a divisional staple for the last eight years and logged some time positioned inside the Top 15 thanks to a five-fight winning streak capped by victories over Tamdan McCrory and Thales Leites a few years back.
While injuries have limited his activity over the last few years, the 32-year-old from Poland remains a formidable challenge for anyone looking to climb the divisional ladder after entering the year on a three-fight winning streak and battling surging contender Sean Strickland for 15 minutes earlier this year.
“He’s the real deal, and I think it’s a great fight,” added Cirkunov, clearly excited to be just a few days away from sharing the cage with Jotko and beginning this next chapter of his professional career.
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And while it is a fresh start in a different division, the middleweight newcomer brings the same approach he carried at the outset of his UFC run in the light heavyweight ranks with him as he embarks on this new adventure.
“My goal at middleweight is just like my goal was at 205: I want to get as close to being ranked, and then possibly fight for the belt and become a champion in the future,” said Cirkunov, who turned a short-term focus on the task at hand and a step-by-step approach to achieving his goals into a five-year stay in the Top 15 at light heavyweight. “I feel like 185 is definitely a lot easier road than doing it at 205.