‘The Menace’ Dennis Bermudez is hoping a big performance on Superbowl weekend in Houston, Texas will be enough to secure him a second fight with UFC interim featherweight champion Max Holloway – after all, he won their first fight.
The New Yorker takes on the returning Chan-Sung Jung in the main event at UFC Fight Night at the Toyota Center knowing that a big performance on such a high profile card could well catapult him into title contention.
With full champion José Aldo seemingly on the missing list, Bermudez has targeted Holloway next should he get past ‘The Korean Zombie’ tomorrow night. And hopes the lure of offering the Hawaiian the chance to avenge one of only three career defeats may play into his hands.
“After I win here, realistically I would like to fight Max Holloway. I have a win over him, he has the interim belt. That’s the reason I signed up to be in the UFC, it’s to be a world champion,” Bermudez said.
Asked about the magnitude of the opportunity, fighting just a short hop away from Sunday’s Superbowl, he added: “I’m just trying to enjoy it and not worry about what’s actually at stake here. It’s a super big opportunity and super big scene here. I’m trying to have fun with the whole experience. All the hard work is done. I’m going to go out there and do what I do and I’ll be fine.”
Meanwhile, after a three year absence from the sport due to national service back home in South Korea, The Zombie is itching to get back inside the Octagon – although he admits he’s not even quite sure how he’ll be able to perform.
He said: “It’s really good to be back and it’s really nice to see all these people come out to support us. I don’t know exactly what’s going to happen once we get in the Octagon, but I think we can always expect an exciting fight.
“There are no easy fights in the UFC, everyone is tough. So, if I’m going to come back I might as well fight the toughest guy I can so I can make my road back to championship contention as quick as possible.”
* Bermudez vs. Zombie headlines UFC Fight Night Houston tomorrow night. Check local listings for start times.
