Photo by Buda Mendes/Zuffa LLC
Welterweight Elizeu Zaleski would like a quick return after his win over Alexey Kunchenko at UFC Brasilia.
Welterweight striker Elizeu Zaleski does not wish to sit around for too long after his unanimous decision victory against Alexey Kunchenko at UFC Brasilia.
In an interview with Combate, ‘Capoeira’ explained he expected a tough battle against the Russian, even if the fight took place in his own home country, and hopes the victory puts him in a better position in the UFC official rankings.
Now, Zaleski would like to return in less than two months, at the upcoming UFC 250 pay per view card, expected to take place in Sao Paulo, Brazil in May. He’s hoping that he could take on another veteran of the sport in Neil Magny.
“It didn’t surprise me (that Kuncheno was tough),” he said. “We already knew he was really tough. He had only one loss and we all know how tough Russian fighters are. We were ready for a big fight, to fight someone strong like him. I hope that win puts me in a higher place in the rankings. Everyone who knows me know I don’t turn down fights, I take who they offer me. I have called out many names before but never got them.
“There is one fight that still lingers, it was announced on the news, but it never became official. I think it’s interesting and he wants it, too. It’s Neil Magny. It would be a pleasure to brawl it out with him. He’s an excelent guy, If it’s possible, I’d like to fight in May, at UFC Sao Paulo. I hope coronavirus is contained and we can go.”
Before the win over Kunchenko, Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (22-6) suffered a TKO loss to Li Jingliang back in August 2019. The defeat snapped a seven-fight winning streak for the Brazilian, with victories over Sean Strickland, Max Griffin and Keita Nakamura, among others.