RFA 7's Mirsad Bektic: ‘Not Doing This to See How Far I Can Go; I’m Going to be a UFC Champion’

Following a successful 4-0 start in the amateur ranks, featherweight prospect Mirsad Bektic changed teams and has taken his game to a whole other level, winning his first five pro fights in convincing fashion.

“I moved down (to Coconut Creek) to American Top Team full time and it’s just been like a humbling experience being with the quality of coaches and teammates I have around me,” he said.

“It’s literally like living my dream and I’m just becoming a whole different fighter and more complete every day.”

When asked if he feels like he’s performing up to his standards, Bektic responded, “Some fights yes, some fights no. In all my fights I’ve learned and taken something from each of them.”

Perhaps no fight has been more productive for him than when he went the distance in his last fight this past November at RFA 5 against Doug Jenkins.

“When the full 15 minutes were done, I wasn’t feeling any different than I had in other fights,” said Bektic. “I always know I’m in great shape, so going three rounds gave me a lot more experience in how to handle myself and control myself. I definitely matured.”

Bektic’s performance against Jenkins was enough for the RFA to invite him to fight at RFA 7 on Friday in Denver against local up-and-comer Nick Macias in a feature bout on AXS TV.

“He’s fought tough guys like Tyler Toner and stuff, and he’s gone to decisions more than I have. So he has more ring time than I have, but I feel if I go out there and perform the way I do in the gym, I’m going to get my hand raised,” said Bektic.

“I think I have a skillset to fight this fight wherever it goes. Whether it’s stand-up or grappling – I believe my grappling is pretty underrated – I believe I can take advantage in this fight wherever it goes.”

Having previously lived in neighboring state Nebraska prior to moving to Florida to train with the ATT, Bektic feels he’ll be prepared to fight at the mile high altitude of Denver.

“When I was living in Nebraska and was an amateur I had a fight in Colorado and I wasn’t in as near as good of shape as I am now, and I think I handled it really well, so I believe if I show up in shape and show up ready. It shouldn’t be a problem,” Bektic told MMAWeekly.com

Already a fighter on the radar of many people, Bektic feels that the pressure to live up to the expectations is always there, but is not as prominent as that which he puts on himself to achieve his own lofty expectations.

“Moving (to Florida) and doing this full time, I’m not doing it to see how far I can go or see what I can do or unsure of what’s going on, I’m in it because I know where I’ve come from and where I am going,” he said. “I see the end result at the end of the road and I believe I’m going to be a UFC champion, so I guess the pressure is always there.

“Every fight is as important as important as my first fight. I push myself because that’s what I expect out of myself, so I just go out there and perform.”

(Photo courtesy of Mirsad Bektic)