SAN ANTONIO – [autotag]Albert Duraev[/autotag] already has his sights set on a potential next opponent.
Minutes after his UFC on ESPN 43 win over Chidi Njokuani on Saturday, Duraev (16-4 MMA, 2-1 UFC) told MMA Junkie in a post-fight news conference he hopes to get matched against Brazilian middleweight and jiu-jitsu specialist [autotag]Andre Muniz[/autotag] (23-5 MMA, 5-1 UFC).
“I want my next fight in June or July,” Duraev said. “I want to fight Brazilian guy Andre Muniz. He’s held 15 ranking. I want a top 15. I can show a good fight.”
Muniz, 33, does not currently have a fight scheduled and currently sits at No. 13 in the promotion’s official rankings. Muniz tore through the ranks of the UFC middleweight division until he was submitted by Brendan Allen on Feb. 25. He has 19 finishes in 23 victories including 15 submissions.
Some fans may look at the fight as jiu-jitsu vs. wrestling, but Duraev reminded it’s an MMA fight. He plans to bring all disciplines to the table.
“It’s striking if (I) need,” Duraev said. “I can (use) wrestling, jiu-jitsu, sambo. I’m going to win.”
Duraev, 34, returned into the win column when he Chidi Njokuani (22-9 MMA, 2-2 UFC) by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28). Prior to that, Duraev lost by TKO to Joaquin Buckley in June 2022.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 43.