Justin Ledet nearly declined UFC Fight Night 99 bout to watch Ward-Kovalev boxing match

BELFAST, Northern Ireland – UFC heavyweight Justin Ledet is a big boxing fan – so much so that he almost was willing to pass up an opportunity to compete at UFC Fight Night 99 in order to watch Saturday’s highly-anticipated boxing match between Andre Ward and Sergey Kovalev.

“I almost declined this fight because the fights were on the same day,” Ledet told MMAjunkie on Wednesday. “Last fight I fought was when ‘GGG’ (Gennady Golovkin) and Kell Brook was on, and I was in the back green room and they had the (UFC) fight going on in the arena – and I was like, ‘Hey, man, put that “GGG” fight on!’ They were like, ‘Huh?’ I almost didn’t take this fight because of that reason. But I’m going to try my best (to watch it).”

Ledet (7-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) was talked into getting his priorities straight and now he fights Mark Godbeer (11-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 99, which streams on UFC Fight Pass in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The heavyweight, who makes his sophomore octagon appearance after battering Chase Sherman to a unanimous decision in his debut at UFC Fight Night 92 in September, comes from a boxing background, competed in a few amateur bouts and considers “the sweet science” his favorite combat sport. However, he chose to pursue a path in MMA because the opportunity for financial gains are more immediately accessible, especially in a thin division like heavyweight.

“I’ve got to pay bills, man,” Ledet said. “I lost my job earlier in the year, so I’ve just been living off these fight paychecks. It’s been a rough road. When I took the UFC debut, (expletive), my (bank) account was on negative. It’s a big thing trying to pay the bills as a full-time fighter, and I’ve just got to roll with the punches.

“It’s a journey. You have ups and downs, but at the end of the day you’ve just got to keep pushing. That’s why I think I’ve survived so long in the fight game, because that’s what I know how to do – whether it’s in life or in the ring. I just keep pushing forward, keep trying to fight every day, all day.”

Ledet showed off his boxing skills in his UFC debut, hitting Sherman with a total of 113 significant strikes, the second most in history recorded by a first-time UFC heavyweight. He would like to pick up where he left off against Godbeer, but said that’s largely dependent on how his opponent approaches the contest.

Although he likes to stand and trade, Ledet said he’s able fight anywhere and in all positions. From his perspective, it all hangs on the way in which Godbeer chooses to attack. Once he does that, Ledet said he intends to respond accordingly.

“I envision a tough fight, and wherever it goes you’ve got to be ready,” Ledet said. “I’ve got a lot of submission wins on my record, so I think I’m well-versed in every area. I’m jut there to fight, and wherever it goes, just like in life, wherever it goes you’ve got to be ready. If you go down, you’ve got to know how to get back up, and that’s why I’m here. I train for every possible scenario.”

For more on UFC Fight Night 99, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.