Boetsch Believes Aggressive Style Will Give Ring First Loss

Tim Boetsch loves his stylistic matchup with Nick Ring at UFC 135. | Photo: Dave Mandel

“I’m going to have to take the fight to him,” Boetsch told the Sherdog Radio Network’s “Savage Dog Show.” “Nick’s obviously a tough guy. No one’s beat him yet, and I’m really looking forward to being the first guy to do that. I definitely have the formula to get it done.”

Ring is 2-0 in the UFC, but the decision he won over Riki Fukuda in February was a controversial one. Many feel Fukuda deserved the nod and that Ring should not be undefeated.

“If you watch [the fight] with the commentary, it definitely looks like Nick Ring loses,” Boetsch said. “But if you watch it with no commentary, I think it ends up being a closer fight than what you think. In my honest opinion, I think Nick lost that fight. I think he knows that in his heart. He definitely didn’t put on a good performance by any means, but the judges saw it his way and that’s fine. He’s still undefeated, and that gives me my opportunity to put the first loss on his record.”

Boetsch’s move to middleweight also gives him that opportunity. He dropped from 205 pounds to 185 for the first time in May and outpointed Kendall Grove at UFC 130. Now he’s even more comfortable at the weight.

“This was definitely the right move to make,” Boetsch said. “We talked about how good I felt last camp, but this camp was even better than that one. I’m getting used to fighting at the new weight and training at a lighter weight. Everything’s just working better. I can train harder. My recovery is better. Everything is just better at middleweight for me.”

To make 185 pounds, Boetsch had to clean up his diet and focus more on cardio. That dedication has had a positive effect on his entire game. Against Ring, he plans on being able to push the pace.

“The game plan is to just go at him,” Boetsch said. “I don’t really have one thing in this fight that I have to do to win. I think there’s a lot of different areas that I can beat Nick at. He’s known for being a great kickboxer, yet he’s finished a lot of his fights by submission. He’s pretty dangerous everywhere, but that being said, I’m not afraid of any of his striking or his grappling or his submission ability. Wherever this fight goes, I feel comfortable that I’ll be able to dominate.”

Listen to the full interview (beginning at 1:02:00).