Danny Chavez wants to make the most of his time in the UFC.
The featherweight fights a second time in the promotion Saturday at UFC Fight Night 185 in Las Vegas. Chavez (11-3 MMA, 1-0 UFC) takes on Jared Gordon (16-4 MMA, 4-3 UFC) in an 150-pound catchweight bout after Gordon missed weight Friday.
Chavez is getting a solid test since Gordon has fought seven times in the promotion and has been in several big fights. “The Colombian Warrior” likes the matchup and is hoping to get a big step up if victorious.
“I’m 33 years old – I don’t have time to be playing around in this division,” Chavez told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “Give me tough tests that gets me to the title. That’s what I want. Don’t give me No. 40, No. 48 – I don’t have time for that. Give me someone that’s top, and that way I’ll prove I’m at that level and then they have to give me someone with a better ranking.
“I’m turning 34 in March. I’m at my best moment of my career, so why waste that? I need to get tested now. They gave me Jared Gordon, who’s a top 30. I’ll beat him and then I’ll go for the top 20. Then top 15, top 10, and that’s it.”
Chavez is not interested in a slow build in the UFC. He thinks he can hang with the very best, but knows that won’t last forever. Chavez, who trains at MMA Masters in Miami, said his time is now.
“My fighting style requires a bunch of speed, power – and those things go away the older I get,” Chavez said. “The good thing about my career is that I never received an injury. I know people that have injured their back, knees, and been out for six months or more. I’ve never been injured in any of my fights.
“I haven’t even been hit in the head much. I’ve never been rocked or knocked down. I just don’t get hit. I never had wars like Justin Gatehje or anyone like that. I’m in the best moment of my career, so why waste it? You want to see the best of Danny Chavez? Use me now, don’t wait. … I don’t want to waste my time in fights that do nothing for me.”
With urgency to climb the UFC ladder while he’s in his prime, Chavez is motivated by his roots. He hopes to become a UFC champion in the future and bring the title to his home country.
“I want to bring the belt to Colombia,” Chavez said. “That’s what I want to do, and that’s what I have in mind.”
Nearing 34, Danny Chavez has no time for slow UFC build: ‘I need to get tested now’
