Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
The Polish light heavyweight takes on Jim Crute in Auckland, New Zealand this Saturday night.
Michal Oleksiejczuk is looking to bounce straight back after his first loss in the UFC.
Last September, Oleksiejczuk (14-3, 1NC) was riding a 12 fight unbeaten streak before running into Ovince St Preux. That gave him his first lost since 2014 as OSP submitted him in the second round, but it was far from a one-sided showdown.
Oleksiejczuk had a clear advantage on the feet in the first frame due to starting aggressively and hurting OSP on a few occasions. However, in round two, the Pole visibly slowed down and OSP had his own success standing. OSP landed a takedown and advanced position until he got the tap from his patented ‘Von Preux’ choke. On reflection, Oleksiejczuk believes that loss will improve his as a fighter even though the opportunities were there for him to close the show early in the contest.
“I had a lot of good moments in the fight against OSP but it didn’t end up well for me,” explained Oleksiejczuk. “A few things caused me to slow down in the second round. In order to finish the fight, I wanted to knock him out but that takes a lot of energy. You should take that opportunity when you have it. I’ve changed a lot since that fight and I want to show that this weekend.”
One of those changes has come in the way in which the 24-year-old approaches the ground game. Oleksiejczuk has finished 10 of his 14 professional wins with strikes so is very dangerous on the feet, but his technique on the mat wasn’t on par previously. He has worked on his grappling to avoid getting submitted again and to also make opponents tap out themselves. The light heavyweight wants to be as aggressive on the ground as he is standing. Oleksiejczuk has tried to implement this change alongside his training partners at Akademia Sportów Walki in Warsaw, Poland where he works with bigger guys including former Olympic weightlifting champion and KSW star, Szymon Kolecki.
Due to this training environment and his altered technical approach, the Pole believes he is well prepared for his return to the octagon. Oleksiejczuk has made the long journey to Auckland, New Zealand in order to take on rising talent, Jim Crute, this Saturday night. The Dana White Tuesday Night Contender Series product is looking to get back in the win column himself after receiving the first loss of his professional career against Misha Cirkunov last time out. Prior to that defeat, Crute (10-1) had earned stoppage victories over Paul Craig and Sam Alvey.
Oleksiejczuk has considered the long flight and time difference when making preparations for this fight but isn’t too focused on being the first man to knock the Australian out.
“I arrived here in New Zealand two weeks before the bout in order to adjust to the different conditions and change in timezone,” discussed Oleksiejczuk. “I’m really enjoying the country and feel great after my first seven days here. Crute will give me a tough battle because he is young, hungry and coming to fight. It won’t be an easy one for sure! I’m not thinking about knocking him out. I know I have to go in there, compete to the best of my ability and stay ready for everything.”
UFC Fight Night: Felder v Hooker can be seen live on BT Sport 3 at midnight on Saturday evening in the UK and Ireland. Fans in the US can watch from 7pmET/6c on ESPN+.