Bryan Barberena saw his fame hit new heights when he was able to submit rising star Sage Northcutt back at UFC On Fox 18 earlier this year. Despite the acclaim the victory brought Barberena, it was his win over Warlley Alves at UFC 198 that Barberena believes is the biggest win of his career.
“That was definitely probably my biggest win to date,” Barberena told MMA Junkie. “People say the Sage one (was), but for me, the Warlley one was bigger. It was a tough fight against a top guy who’s close to the rankings. I think it really cemented my place in the welterweight division, showing this is where I belong and I’m going for the top.”
Despite the fact that Barberena does hold a win over Northcutt, it will Sage competing on the main card of UFC On Fox 22, while Barberena competes on the preliminary card.
“I mean, it’s a little frustrating just because I beat him or whatever,” Barberena said. “But no matter where I’m at on the card – I’ll be the bottom first fight of the night, in the middle, on the main card, whatever – I’m going to get in there and do my job, and that’s beat somebody up. And pretty soon they won’t be able to deny me the main-event slot. That’s how I look at it.”
UFC On Fox 22 takes place on Saturday, December 17 from the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California with Paige VanZant and Michelle Waterson headlining.
