Gashi: "I feel like I can beat Marat Grigorian easy"

“I’m undefeated now and I’ll be undefeated after this fight - the only thing which will change is that I will be the new champion,” says lightweight contender ‘Super’ Elvis Gashi (23-0, 11 KO’s) as he prepares to challenge defending champion Marat Grigorian (62-11-1, 35 KO’s) at GLORY 73 SHENZHEN this Saturday.

“I think Marat is good but I am better. I’ve never lost. I feel comfortable about this fight. I’ve waited all my life to become world champion and now I am ready, just one more step to go. Since the first time I saw him fight, I felt like I can beat him easy.”

There are not many lightweights who would refer to Marat Grigorian as an “easy” fight, but Gashi sees one particularly clear advantage for himself.

“He’s got a pretty good record but he’s got plenty of losses and if you look at his losses, they are mostly to left-handed fighters like me. I think he doesn’t do great against southpaws, so that’s another advantage for me,” he explains.

Gashi, who is originally from Kosovo but has for many years been resident in New York, USA, where he has his own gym, also thinks his attitude will pose problems for the defending champion.

“He likes to come forward and put the pressure, so in training I’ve had guys copying that and I’ve been moving, countering,” he says.

“But I am also a guy who likes to use forward-pressure, so maybe Marat will find himself having to fight while moving backwards. We will see - it’s going to be a surprise for everyone, including him!”

With two finishes from five wins in GLORY, Gashi has been the distance in three of his fights in the organization. But those fights were set for three rounds, while this championship bout is set for five.

“Five rounds, three rounds - it doesn’t matter. I’ve trained so hard for this, I wish it was ten rounds!” says Gashi.

“Although to be honest with you, I don’t see this one going the distance anyway…”

GLORY 73 SHENZHEN takes place this Saturday, December 7 in Shenzhen, China and can be watched live anywhere in the world via UFC Fight Pass.

For regional television broadcast times, check local listings.