Max Griffin is oozing confidence ahead of perhaps the biggest fight of his career.
Griffin (17-8 MMA, 5-6 UFC) got his wish and will be taking on former UFC interim welterweight champion Carlos Condit (32-13 MMA, 9-9 UFC) at UFC 264 on July 10, and he intends on fully capitalizing on the opportunity of facing a notable name.
“I’m pumped,” Griffin told MMA Junkie Radio. “Wonderful experience, wonderful time, wonderful opportunity. I’ve actually wanted to fight Carlos since I was young, since I was a kid, so to get this fight now, when I finally figured everything out, it’s amazing.”
He continued, “When I used to watch him in WEC, I used to watch him walk around the cage, mean-mugging the camera, and I remember being like, ‘I want to fight that guy.’ Now it’s come full circle. I have nothing but respect for him, legend of the sport. He’s going to be a hall of famer. He’s been there, done that with the best of them – former champion. It’s my time, though. All that stuff’s out the window now. It’s my time.”
Griffin has strung together his first winning streak since joining the UFC roster in August 2016, coming off back-to-back stoppage wins over Ramiz Brahimaj and, most recently, a “Performance of the Night” knockout of Song Kenan and is certain that UFC 264 will be his best showing to date.
“I’m adding new things, but my stuff’s working,” Griffin said. “My recipe is working. Yeah, I’m adding new things, but what I’m doing is working, it’s effective. I feel like ‘Salt Bae’ now. My recipe’s good, I’m throwing the stuff on top, and it’s going to be a masterpiece. July 10 will be my next greatest performance to date, I promise you. I have no doubts, 100 percent confidence.”