Marc-Andre Barriault admits he wasn't initially thrilled UFC offered Shara Magomedov
Barriault (17-9 MMA, 6-8 UFC) takes on rising middleweight contender Shara Magomedov (15-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) on Saturday's UFC on ABC 9 main card at Etihad Arena on Yas Island (ABC, ESPN, ESPN+).
Barriault snapped a three-fight losing skid with a brutal knockout of Bruno Silva at UFC 315 in May, which led to a Performance of the Night bonus and a new contract.
"The fight in Montreal was one of the best highlights of my career for sure," Barriault told MMA Junkie during Wednesday's UFC on ABC 9 media day. "As soon as I got back home, less than 48 hours I was on the phone with my manager. All good news for sure, but I was kind of like, 'OK, I need to jump back right away,' but it's OK.
"At this point in my career, I just want to make the most of it. I've been here for six years now so, I feel like I'm at my peak right now, and I'm super happy that the UFC gave me this opportunity to come and fight this guy for sure."
However, drawing the dangerous Magomedov less than a week after his career-highlight win left the Canadian a little confused.
"I'm not gonna lie, at first, I was like, 'OK, why they offer me this guy?,'" Barriault said. "Stylistically, I was not super excited at first, but the more I was thinking about the matchup, the fight and also all the confidence I gained after my last fight, I was like, 'OK Marc, you belong here, you can fight with anybody in this division.' I have what it takes to be here."
Magomedov is coming off his first-career loss to Michael Page in February, but Barriault won't put too much stock into that. He plans on bringing the fight to him.
"People try to do the mirror effect with him," Barriault said. "He tries to draw you into his style, into his game. To play the range, the distance game, the bouncing. I'm a striker, but we are both different strikers. Me, I like to close the range, fight in the inside, dirty boxing, but I have a couple of good weapons also in my sleeve to play. But, I just want to be smart, do my thing, and I think everything is going to be fine."
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