Sweden
Bernardo Sopai is confident ahead of first FCR title defense: “I don’t feel any danger”
Bernardo Sopai won the Fight Club Rush title at FCR 13 in August. Photo: Daniel Schälander / FCR MMA
On Saturday February 25, Fight Club Rush bantamweight champion Bernardo Sopai will step into the cage to defend his belt for the first time.
In an new interview with Frontkick’s sister site Maximum Sports, the young fighter comments on the upcoming title defense against the French bantamweight Julien Lopez.
“I have a great training camp so I’m looking forward to the fight,” Sopai said. “I know that he’s a good striker, a good fighter. He’s going for the finish, he wants to go from the first minute. I like this. We have a fight guys.”
The bantamweight champion is confident entering the cage to face the French challenger.
“A fight is a fight, I don’t feel any danger. I feel like I’m really, really good so I don’t have to be scared of anything, you understand. I’m looking forward to a good fight and I hope he’s ready as well, because I’m ready.”
Calling Allstars Training Center his home, he’s preparing for his first title defense with top talents like Sakhi “Machete” Qambari, Felipe Lima and Bilal Tipsaev, as well as fighters from all around the world.
“We have a lot of opportunities, this gym is big. We have a lot of fighters from different countries, everybody is welcome. We have a lot of good fighters.”
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Bernardo Sopai aims for UFC: “Maybe two more wins”
The 22-year-old talent has a bright future ahead of him, and according to himself, it’s a good chance we’ll see him fighting in the UFC sooner rather than later.
“I don’t think I’m very far away. I believe I need maybe two more wins, I don’t know, maybe three. So, I’m looking forward to making this happen,” Sopai said. “This year, in FCR, I want to do maybe three fights and let’s see. Maybe this year or next year, but I’m getting there soon.”
Fight Club Rush 15 will take place at Strawberry Fields by Quality Hotel in Solna on February 25, and marks the second ever card in Stockholm.
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