LAS VEGAS – Billy Quarantillo thinks he’s evolved greatly since his first octagon loss and is eager to show it against Gabriel Benitez at UFC on ESPN 26.
Quarantillo (15-3 MMA, 3-1 UFC) had a nine-fight winning streak snapped in December when he lost a unanimous decision to Gavin Tucker at UFC 256. He’ll attempt to bounce back Saturday when he meets Benitez (22-8 MMA, 6-4 UFC) in a featherweight bout on the ESPN-televised card at the UFC Apex.
Tasting defeat for the first time since April 2016 was not something Quarantillo wanted, but he’s taken it the right way and thinks he’s a different fighter going into the clash with Benitez.
“It was a good wake-up call,” Quarantillo told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s UFC on ESPN 26 media day. “It gave me a chance to look back at my other training camps and kind nitpick at what I was doing. There was a lot of stuff I was able to address and correct. It’s been seven months and you’re going to see a new and improved Billy Q. I can’t wait.”
Watch the video above to hear Quarantillo talk more about his comeback, the possibility of Benitez missing weight, his hope to fight again in 2021, and much more.
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Billy Quarantillo: First octagon loss was ‘wake up call’ going into UFC on ESPN 26
