Serhiy Sidey rematches Ramon Taveras at UFC 297: Strickland vs. Du Plessis on January 20th in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Sidey spoke to MMA Canada before this sequel affair which also serves as his UFC debut. Excerpts from the chat are below.
Serhiy Sidey
This moment represents something Sidey has wanted to manifest into reality from day one. Competing in this city at this specific venue. When speaking to actualizing that vision into reality this weekend, Sidey said,
“Yeah, it’s crazy, man. I’m not even kidding I remember like driving into Toronto and listening to Drake like five (or) six years ago and looking at the arena. I think like; I don’t know, it was called; like it was a different name. I think it was like Rogers Arena or something I think. But regardless like I’d look into that arena and I’d be like yo, one day I’m gonna fight here. I’d just like be bumping some Drake you know. Just like again like little kid, big dreams.”
“Always had a weird feeling that I was gonna get there. Don’t know how, didn’t know when, but like I just had this weird confidence that I was gonna get there. I just stayed true to the process and yeah it’s time to do it now and I’m super excited.”
The 27-year-old is feeling like this sequel affair versus Tavares provides a chance to put a more emphatic stamp on things. This after some saw the first-round stoppage in their first fight as premature. Both men felt like the official took the moment from them and aim for a more conclusive outcome in this second throwdown.
Serhiy Sidey makes quick work of Ramon Taveras 😳 #DWCS pic.twitter.com/0DtuZATYtb
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) September 6, 2023
UFC 279
When speaking to LM2’s Dylan Bowker before rematching Ali Wasuk, he mentioned the idea of doing it more violently in the sequel. When asked about his mentality heading in this Tavares rematch in that aforementioned context, Sidey stated,
“100%, man. Every; I’ve had two rematches in my professional career. Both times I finished the guy quicker the second time around, man, and more violently both times. So it’s like that’s just the mindset I have. But again, I truly believe it’s because I don’t take these guys lightly, man. Like I think the second I start taking people lightly, man, that’s gonna be a problem for me. But I’m never gonna be like that, I treat these guys like the most dangerous individuals possible. It makes me super prepared and, you know, makes me ready for the moment.”
Serhiy Sidey was previously in the crowd for a UFC card at this very Toronto venue in December 2018. He now competes inside the cage and seeks that 50 K bonus in front of a sea of fervent fans. Many who have followed his BTC Fight Promotions and BFL exploits having captured 135-pound belts there and welcoming in a whole new crop of fans being exposed to him for the first time.
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