LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Thiago Moises[/autotag] has been on [autotag]Christos Giagos[/autotag]’ radar for a while now.
Giagos (19-9 MMA, 5-5 UFC) faces Moises (15-6 MMA, 4-4 UFC) on Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 38 main card, which takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The main card airs on ESPN following prelims on ESPN2/ESPN+.
Both RFA alums, Giagos is surprised the pair never fought when they were under the same banner before, but sees now as the perfect timing for the matchup.
“I think he’s very technical, a very good fighter. He was ranked No. 14 at one point, and I think he’s very good,” Giagos told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s UFC on ESPN 38 media day. “I think this is a great matchup. He’s fought tough guys, I’ve fought tough guys. He’s 4-4 in the UFC, I’m 5-5, so I think the UFC did a great job with this matchup. I knew I was going to fight him at some point because I fought on the same card as him in RFA when he fought for the title.
“And Dana White was there for his show and he didn’t get signed. I didn’t get signed, but I feel like Dana White was more impressed with me. I thought that I’d fight him for the title. I was a titleholder for RFA at one point, but I thought I was going to get that chance again against Thiago. So I knew I was going to fight him at some point, so the time is here. I like this matchup a lot, and I just think stylistically it’s a great matchup for me.”
Check out the full media day interview with Giagos in the video above.
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