UFC 170's Zach Makovsky preferred quick turnaround over online fight in Brazil

Flyweight Zach Makovsky has kept a fast pace in the past three months of his MMA career, with three fights in four months, including his UFC debut.

“I’ve kind of been in camp for, like, 22 of the last 25 weeks,” he told MMAjunkie Radio.

Makovsky wanted to slow down a bit after he beat Scott Jorgensen on short notice at UFC on FOX 9. But as it turned out, his bosses had spots to fill on earlier cards.

“I was trying to figure out what my options were,” he said. “If I could have been put on a (card a) little bit later, I would have liked more time off, not in camp.”

Makovsky (17-4 MMA, 1-0 UFC) recently was offered a fight against Josh Sampo (11-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) on the FOX Sports 1-televised prelims of UFC 170, which takes place Saturday at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay Events Center. The other option was less attractive.

“They were like, ‘You can turn it down and we can get you on later, but that could be on a card on Fight Pass in Brazil, against a Brazilian,’” Makovsky said.

Such a booking would have brought a hit to his pocket book in the form of flying his coaches to the fight and selling sponsors on the still-developing digital network.

“I think this was the best scenario,” Makovsky said. “I always wanted to fight in Vegas.”

So on Saturday, he goes back to work. The schedule does bring more financial reward after his previous promoter was unable to give him three fights over 14 months and released him.

Although he fought on short notice in his debut against Jorgensen, he said the experience of fighting in the octagon for the first time was better than he expected.

“My debut, I was nervous as always, and it’s always the same feeling, whether it’s my first fight in Asbury Convention Center or my UFC debut,” Makovsky said. “I always feel the same kind of nerves, but it was just more enjoyable.”

Sampo, who bested Ryan Benoit in his octagon debut, might not carry the name recognition of an opponent such as Jorgensen, who fought for several years under the now-defunct WEC banner as well as the UFC. But Makovsky said the style matchup is an interesting one.

“He’s the most similar guy to me that I’ve fought, in a lot of ways, too,” he said. “We both come from collegiate wrestling backgrounds. He was a Division II All-American; I wrestled at a Division I school. He favors grappling, and I think I do as well.

“He has good striking, and I do too, but I think we both favor grappling. I think we’re evenly matched, so it’s going to be competitive wherever the fight ends up. I believe I have a speed advantage, and I can use my speed and mobility to control the fight. I’m also hoping I’m smarter than him.”

For the latest on UFC 170, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.

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