LAS VEGAS – Marc-Andre Barriault beat Abu Azaitar with a third-round TKO Saturday to open the preliminary card at UFC 260 in Las Vegas.
Take a look inside the fight with Barriault, who snapped a three-fight skid to get his first win in the UFC.
Barriault on the fight’s key moment
“Right now, I’m happy about my performance. We knew that Abu was used to coming forward, very aggressive, but I like this kind of matchup. I like to show all my heart, and here I am.
“Between the first and the second round, I knew I had to let everything loose. I had to be myself – just not worry about him, what he is about – to put on the game and just have confidence in my skills. After the second round, I just repeated to myself, ‘Let’s go! Let’s go!’
“I knew he was more tired than me. I just looked at him and his face was messed up. I knew I had more heart than him and I just had to get the job done. At this moment, I just repeated to myself to be calm, be patient, pick my shots, look at him, control the position and just wait for the good opportunity to close the show. That’s what I did.”
THAT IS IT!
🇨🇦 @PowerBarriault DOMINATES RD 3 and closes the show.
[ #UFC260 – LIVE on @ESPN & #ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/GqOXnhCNrV
— UFC (@ufc) March 28, 2021
Barriault on proving he belongs
“With all that happened to me in the last year, it’s amazing. It’s a blessing to be here now and just show everybody all the heart that I have (and) what I’m made of. Right now I’m just very happy to let everybody know that I’m back, I’m here, I belong here and that’s who I am. I’m a tough fighter. I like to put on a show and I want more.”
Draining his opponent… 🔋
🇨🇦 @PowerBarriault is living up to the nickname! #UFC260 pic.twitter.com/edw7M0iU9N
— UFC (@ufc) March 27, 2021
Barriault on what he wants next
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 27: (R-L) Marc-Andre Barriault of Canada punches Abu Azaitar of Morocco in their middleweight fight during the UFC 260 event at UFC APEX on March 27, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
“I’m the type of guy, I like to be active. Right now, after this crazy year, I just want to look at myself. I just want to put the work in, get back in the gym – because back home in Canada right now, it’s crazy. I just want to take some time off.
“… One guy in my mind I’d like to fight so bad, and it’s Eryk Anders. I think him and me is going to be a good matchup, for sure.”
To hear more from Barriault, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.