Tarec Saffiedine may just be the best-kept secret in the UFC welterweight division.
Over the past several years, the Belgian striker has quietly climbed the 170-pound rankings to solidify himself as one best fighters in the weight class. While running under the proverbial radar, the 28-year-old Brussels native not only established himself as one of the best strikers in the division, but also proved to be a formidable threat to anyone who steps into the cage with him.
While “Sponge” started out in the “Challengers” series under the now-defunct Strikeforce banner back in 2010, he would rise to claim the organization’s welterweight title by defeating former UFC middleweight contender Nate Marquardt three years later. Saffiedine and Marquardt squared off in the promotion’s final event, and the Team Quest fighter closed out his Strikeforce run in dominant fashion as he earned a lopsided unanimous decision victory over the 35-year-old Grudge Training Center representative.
With the San Jose-based organization closing its doors immediately after he became champion, there was no time for Saffiedine to enjoy the fruits of his accomplishment as he was brought over to compete under the UFC banner. Yet his official debut was delayed by injuries on multiple occasions, and Saffiedine was forced to make his inaugural showing inside the Octagon just shy of a year after he won the Strikeforce welterweight strap.
And while a successful debut against Hyun Gyu Lim in Singapore helped him establish his place on the UFC roster, it was going to take a showdown with a top-ranked opponent to prove Saffiedine was worthy of being a title contender. That opportunity will come on Saturday night as the rangy striker will step in against Rory MacDonald at Fight Night 54 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
A matchup with the highly touted Tristar fighter is precisely the caliber of showcase Saffiedine has been waiting for, and he’s determined to make a definitive statement on Saturday night.
“This is a huge fight and a huge step in my career,” Saffiedine said. “I’m going to take full advantage of it and I’m feeling great. I’m ready to go for Saturday.
“People have forgot about me, and I’ve kind of been put aside for the past year-and-a-half. I’ve had a few setbacks and I’m definitely planning on making a big statement with this fight. I’m making a comeback and people are going to remember who the last Strikeforce champion was. I’m definitely looking forward to putting on a great fight.
“I believe a win in this fight gets me the title shot, but, to be honest with you, I don’t really think about what’s next,” he added in regard to the winner earning a title opportunity. “I’m fully focused on Rory and our fight on Saturday. But it’s always at the back of my mind, and a win over Rory will put me right up there. It’s definitely something I can’t ignore, but I’m focused on beating Rory on Saturday and the rest will come.
In addition to their respective positions on the welterweight divisional hierarchy, the stylistic matchup between Saffiedine and MacDonald has the makings to be an interesting affair. Both men are versatile, well-rounded fighters, but their individual strengths rest at opposite ends of the offensive spectrum. Saffiedine is an accomplished striker with proven knockout power in his hands, knees and feet, while MacDonald’s most significant attribute is his forward pressure and his ability to grind out the opposition with his grappling skills.
Each man has proven capabilities wherever the fight may go, and Saffiedine believes the bout has the potential to be an action-packed scrap. That said, he also feels the opening minutes of the fight will be absolutely crucial and plans on wasting no time bringing the ruckus to MacDonald from the opening bell.
“The first two minutes of this fight are going to be very important,” Saffiedine said. “I cannot let him become comfortable and find his own range and distance. I have to fight my fight. I can’t let him get comfortable because that is when he’s the most dangerous. Every round is going to be crucial, but the first two minutes of this fight are going to be very important in dictating the pace and pushing the fight where I want it to go.”
Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.
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