Depsite past win over champ Dillashaw, Raphael Assuncao just wants to be remembered

Raphael Assuncao hasn’t fought since October 2014, but with UFC bantamweight title on the line on Sunday at UFC Fight Night 81, his name is as relevant as ever.

Assuncao (23-4 MMA, 7-1 UFC) will be sitting cageside at Boston’s TD Garden when 135-pound champ T.J. Dillashaw (12-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) puts his belt on the line against ex-titleholder Dominick Cruz (20-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) in the FOX Sports 1-televised main event.

The Brazilian will be an interested spectator; after a seven-fight winning streak that includes an October 2013 split-decision win over Dillashaw at UFC Fight Night 29, Assuncao could possibly soon share the octagon with the winner of the title fight.

If it weren’t for recent injuries that have kept Assuncao on the sidelines for 15 months, he would’ve possibly already got his shot at the belt. He’s just one of two fighters to defeat Dillashaw, and he said he’s eager to do it again.

Assuncao said he knows a second fight with Dillashaw is hardly a guarantee, though, because he’s in for a stern and possibly insurmountable test in the form of Cruz, who is getting his shot to regain the belt after he was stripped due to a series of injuries of his own that allowed him to compete just once in more than four years.

T.J. Dillashaw

The Dillashaw vs, Cruz matchup is difficult for most to predict, and Assuncao said he’s no different. He said he’s compelled by the clash of styles and feels both men have avenues to victory.

“Technically speaking, they both move good, and they have really good angles; obviously T.J. picked up a little bit of his style off of Cruz – we all know that – and he implemented some other stuff of his own with his new coach,” Assuncao told MMAjunkie Radio. “I just feel the angles of T.J. when he plays southpaw – it’s going to be an angle fight opposed to a brawl fight. T.J. kicks a little bit more. I think Cruz is going to be a little bit harder to hit than all the guys he’s faced. I’m not sure how it’s going to play out because they both have that style where they’re both kind of jerking and moving.

“The feet movement and changing stances all the time, I’m not sure how it’s going to play out. I can’t sit here and say, ‘Hey man, I think T.J. will knock him out or Cruz will knock him out.’ Just because they both have great movement, and their wrestling is pretty equal.”

Selfishly, Assuncao said he’d like to see Dillashaw notch his third title defense in order to set up a rematch. He said he has nothing against Cruz, but his goal is to win the UFC belt, and naturally he’d be more comfortable challenging a fighter he’s already defeated.

“Right now I was leaning toward Dillashaw just so I can fight him again, but Cruz is more of a friend, and he deserves it,” Assuncao said. “Everybody knows his story. The guy never lost the belt. But I want to fight T.J. Dillashaw, so hopefully that don’t compromise the little bit of a friendship I have with Cruz, but I’m thinking of myself, and I just want to fight that guy again. I think I have the style to beat him.”

Regardless of who leaves UFC Fight Night 81 with the title, Assuncao said he’s not going to get his hopes up too much when it comes to the next title shot. It appears Urijah Faber, who shares a deep personal history with both Dillashaw and Cruz, is on deck for the next title shot, which leaves Assuncao waiting in line.

The 33-year-old said he doesn’t necessarily mind that position, mainly because he’s still not 100 percent healthy. Assuncao said he’s uncomfortable making demands when he injured, but once he’s physically ready, he’ll be ready to prove he deserves a title-fight opportunity.

“I’ve been injured so I can’t make a big deal or fight over something I deserve; I don’t want to demand something not being 100 percent,” Assuncao said. “I’m still hungry for the sport. I feel that I have a lot to show. I have a lot to make up and show. I’m just excited to eventually get back active.”

For more on UFC Fight Night 81, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.

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