No rush, but Enrique Barzola wants Ricardo Lamas after UFC 220 win

BOSTON – Enrique Barzola is not about to start hand-picking opponents, but he wouldn’t really mind this very specific step up.

Barzola (14-3-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) outworked a game Matt Bessette (22-8 MMA, 0-1 UFC) in the preliminary card of Saturday’s UFC 220 to earn an unanimous decision. Bessette, who was making his UFC debut, served as a short-notice replacement for England’s Arnold Allen.

Despite the fact he’s now riding a three-fight winning streak, the featherweight’s attitude remains the same: He’s not about to turn down fights. And if that means a rescheduling of the Allen bout is next for him, he has no problem with it.

“It depends on the UFC,” Barzola told reporters backstage at TD Garden in Boston, via an interperter. “We will take any fighter that gets put in front (of us). It’s up to Sean Shelby.”

But then there’s this one guy who’s caught his eye.

“I’ve always wanted to fight Ricardo Lamas,” Barzola told the UFC.

Backstage, Barzola elaborated on what was less a callout and more a respectful wish. Onetime title challenger Lamas, Barzola says, is someone he admires as both a fighter and a person. He’s met Lamas when they shared cars in the past and appreciates his style.

“It’s not like I’m in a rush,” Barzola said. “It’s a process.”

Quite simply, he would like the challenge. And Barzola is not one to duck from challenges. Saturday’s meeting, in fact, involved one, considering he had to deal with an opponent change in less than two-week’s notice – and to one who not only had a different stance, but one that Barzola admitedly didn’t really know anything about.

Fortunately for Barzola, his opponent’s best efforts weren’t enough to de-rail him. And now, with the consecutive unanimous decision wins over Chris Avila, Gabriel Benitez and now Bessette, the Peruvian fighter has gotten himself some momentum there.

“I’m very happy,” Barzola said.

It didn’t come easy. Barzola, who still lives in Peru, has to be away from his family, costumes and comfort in order to train in the U.S. It’s a good thing, then, that this is exactly what drives him to keep going.

“It’s basically the sacrifice,” Barzola said.

To hear from Barzola, check out the video above.

And for complete coverage of UFC 220, check out the UFC Events section of the site.