Paulo Borrachinha did not swallow well the justification of Yoel Romero that it will need more time to cure an injury in the orbital bone. The duel between them was originally scheduled for November 3 at UFC 230 in New York. However, with the Cuban claiming to be unable to date, the organization rescheduled for January 18. In a conversation with Combate.com, the Brazilian provoked the rival and said he believed it was an attempt to gain preparation time.
"I think he's winding up, wanting more time to train." That's the truth. I do not doubt he got hurt, but I think he's taking advantage and asking for more time to train, because when the UFC sent the contract, he knew it would be in November, otherwise they would not make a contract. I signed, he did not. He said the doctor said he needs more time, but if he hurt himself against Whittaker, how long was he going to need it? He knows it's going to be a very tough fight, everyone in the category has already called him how he'll fight me, it's going to be a very aggressive fight with devastating punches and kicks. They do not want to put their health at risk, even more a 41-year-old who should already think about retirement. If he has injured his face, he will be afraid to take a blow there. I do not think he was sparring that much stronger and will do even less. Unfortunately, for him, this fight ain't gonna be any cool - stated ..
On who he would prefer to fight between the Whittaker/Gastelum fight:
"I find Gastelum very easy to fight for being much smaller. In fact, he's a 77kg but no one gave him a wake up that he's 77kg. He's doing well in our weightclass, so he's comfortable, but I met him at the UFC Performance Institute and he's actually 77kg. Not average. He's kind phisically similar to Hendricks. It would be a fight just like the fight with Hendricks, "said the fighter, recalling his victory over former welterweight champion Johny Hendricks (up to 77kg) in November last year when he knocked out the second round.
He also reveals the desire to fight Chris Wheydman
- If Whittaker delays more and can not fight at the beginning of the year with Gastelum, only in the middle of the year, I put myself at disposal to fight in the same time of Whittaker x Gastelum against the winner of Rockhold x Weidman, if the UFC wants, and the public wants. Either of them, but mostly Weidman, because he won from Vitor, from Anderson, from Lyoto, so I think he's a bit choked up in Brazil's pride. I'm ready for anyone, my business is strategy.
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