• UFC 112

Etim could be 'two fights' from a title shot - Zelaznik

ESPN staff
March 9, 2010
Terry Etim is admired inside UFC circles © Getty Images
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Marshall Zelaznik is confident Terry Etim's UFC contract will be renewed in the near future, admitting the British lightweight could be "one or two wins" from a title shot.

Etim bids to improve his 14-3 record against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Rafael Dos Anjos at UFC 112, where the Briton is likely to undergo a severe test of his ground game credentials. Despite boasting 11 victories via submission, Etim is a recognised Muay Thai striker who would be expected to come off second best should Dos Anjos take the fight to the mat in Abu Dhabi.

Etim understands that the UFC generally make their decision on whether to renew a fighter's contract when an individual has one fight remaining on his current deal, which will be the position the 24-year-old finds himself in after the Dos Anjos bout. However, with the Team Kaobon fighter currently riding a four-fight win streak, Zelaznik admits Etim is closer to a title shot than he is to being cut from the UFC.

"I leave those issues to Joe [Silva] but I would be very surprised if Terry is in any sort of a predicament regarding his long-term standing in the UFC," Zelaznik assured Espn.co.uk.

"Terry is one of the most exciting fighters, everybody in the company loves watching him, but I think for his sake he shouldn't be in a rush for a title shot.

"Having said that, he could challenge for the belt at any time. The question for him, like many fighters, is when is the right time for him? If he comes out with a dominant win over Rafael Dos Anjos, he could be one or two wins away for sure."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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