LAS VEGAS – What we saw Tuesday from Ibo Aslan was a display of what he likes to call “Turkish power.”
Aslan made quick work of Paulo Renato Jr. in their Dana White’s Contender Series 58 fight, winning by knockout with punches at the 2:22 mark of the first round to secure a UFC contract.
So, about that “Turkish power,” what is it exactly? That was a question one reporter asked Aslan after his win.
“Do you eat Turkish food?” Aslan responded.
“No,” the reporter said.
“Bro, you must eat, because if you eat Turkish food, you will get this knockout power,” Aslan said. “… I eat Turkish food every day, and they give me energy, they give me power. It’s something from my power.”
Well then.
Aslan, 27, pushed his winning streak to four and improved his overall record to 12-1, with all 12 of his wins coming by way of knockout. In due time – or perhaps sooner than later – this “Turkish power” could be a problem for the UFC light heavyweight division.
Not that Aslan has any particular names in mind, although that could be simply because he has everyone in mind.
“I don’t think about other fighters,” Aslan said. “I have my team, my management, Ali Abdelaziz. I talk to him, and step by step to the top.”
His message to the UFC’s 205-pound division?
“I am coming for all of you, all of you,” he said.
For more on the card, check out MMA Junkie’s event hub for Dana White’s Contender Series 58.
Fueled by ‘Turkish power,’ DWCS 58 winner Ibo Aslan puts UFC light heavyweights on notice