Blackburn Ready to Play the Spoiler Again?

Originally posted on MMAweekly.com

Go ahead and label Brad Blackburn an “underdog” and count him out of a fight, because that’s exactly what he wants you to do. Since his MMA debut in 2001, very few have delivered with the odds against them like he as.

Wins over Chris Wilson, Jay Hieron, and Delson Heleno when they were all big favorites are just a few of the upsets he has perpetrated in his career.

Looking to keep the trend going, Blackburn returns to the Ultimate Fighting Championship on Dec. 27 as he faces Japanese star Ryo Chonan in a welterweight showdown at UFC 92.

“I can’t wait to get the fight over with. I’m tired of training now,” he said heading into his second UFC fight. “I trained my butt off for this one.

“I’m not just saying this, but I know my cardio is better than it's ever been – which is a good thing – because Ryo is always in good shape too. I’m feeling good and I’m excited for this opportunity.”

After defeating relative unknown James Giboo in is UFC debut earlier this year, Blackburn sees Chonan as the step up in competition he’s been hoping for.

“What I’m most excited about is fighting somebody that has a big name,” he exclaimed. “You have to beat somebody with a big name to be somebody with a big name, just like how you have to beat the champ to be the champ.”

One of the perks of fighting such a well-known commodity such as Ryo is the fact that Blackburn has had ample opportunity to familiarize himself with his opponent and prepare accordingly.

“He’s in great shape all the time,” he said of Chonan. “In Pride he was fighting a 10-minute round at a good pace. I think he’s a good striker, but I think I’m a better strike than him, and a better wrestler.

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