• UFC 142

Nobody wants victory as badly as me at UFC 142 - Etim

ESPN staff
January 8, 2012
Terry Etim is set to face Edson Barboza © Getty Images
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Terry Etim insists it is impossible for Edson Barboza to want victory more than he does at UFC 142, despite the fact the Brazilian is fighting in front of his home fans.

Etim has a real sense of it being "his time" after an 18-month absence from the sport. Arguably Britain's most naturally talented mixed martial artist, he has the chance to propel himself into lightweight title contention with victory over Barboza.

Once set to fight Joe Lauzon, who himself is in the upper echelons of the 155lb division and heading for a fight with Anthony Pettis, Etim insists Barboza is just as tough an examination. However, the Brit insists there is no chance he is coming back defeated on January 14.

"I see it being an action-packed fight, we both go after it and he's undefeated in his own backyard," Etim told ESPN. "I've come back strong [at UFC 138] and I was desperate to get the call from the UFC about this next fight.

"Style-wise, Lauzon would be trickier on the ground. I'm not saying Barboza's not, but from what I've seen of both of them, they'd be totally different fights.

"The [Anthony] Njokuani and [Ross] Pearson fights [against Barboza] are the ones I've watched for this fight. He's very tough, but I've definitely seen areas to exploit and I definitely think I'll come up with the win.

"One thing I've got that he hasn't? I want it a lot more."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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