PRAGUE – The past year hasn’t been an easy stage in the career of Michal Oleksiejczuk. Fortunately, he believes he’s come out the other end stronger.
Oleksiejczuk (12-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) returns to the octagon today to fight Gian Villante (17-10 MMA, 7-7 UFC) at UFC on ESPN+ 3. It’s his first fight since December 2017, and the time off was because of a one-year doping suspension handed out by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) after his UFC debut
Going more than a year without fighting isn’t ideal for most MMA athletes. Oleksiejczuk’s break was forced upon him because of a failed test, though, and he said that made it all the more difficult.
“It was very hard for me. I can’t hide it,” Oleksiejczuk told MMAjunkie through an interpreter at UFC on ESPN+ 3 media day. “But I was working hard all year long. I can train, I can do stuff so I am very well prepared. I can’t wait to get in the octagon and I feel the hunger for the fight.”
UFC on ESPN+ 3 takes place O2 arena in Prague. The 205-pound matchup between Oleksiejczuk and Villante is part of the main card only ESPN+, which follows prelims on ESPN2.
At 24, Oleksiejczuk hasn’t build enough his career enough to the point where he’s thriving financially. Not being able to generate his primary means of income for a year came with obstacles, but Oleksiejczuk got through it.
“I had enough savings and support to keep running so this year wasn’t that hard financially,” Oleksiejczuk said. “It made it so I had a good camp for this one.”
Cleared to fight and with plenty of motivation for UFC on ESPN+ 3, Oleksiejczuk said he’s going into the matchup with Villante with cruel intentions. If it goes the way he envisions, a $50,000 “Fight of the Night” bonus could definitely be on the horizon.
“That’s the plan, to stand and bang with him,” Oleksiejczuk said. “I’m not looking for the easiest way to win the fight, I’m looking to stand and trade punches. It will be a war, it will be a bloody war and I’m sure fans will be excited.”
For more on UFC on ESPN+ 3, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.
