UFC veteran Danny Roberts refused to let himself see the indicators that GFL’s launch is perhaps too good to be true.
The previous octagon star, who confronted now-world champion Jack Della Maddalena amongst different main names, was launched on the again of a Battle of the Night time winner in 2023. He spent a while on the sidelines, earlier than agreeing to face Neiman Gracie on the opening evening of the GFL season.
Roberts was set to affix former world champions like Anthony Pettis, Benson Henderson and Holly Holm on the star-studded card. However it fell aside, to little shock from the combating world, and he has now landed on his ft with a headliner in Brussels for his PFL debut.
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Danny Roberts was satisfied GFL would occur regardless of fan issues
Former UFC welterweight Danny Roberts was set to struggle on the inaugural GFL card, however was pressured to take a unique route when all of it fell aside. There was attributable to be a weekend of motion in Los Angeles earlier than the showcase was cancelled altogether.
“You set a fighter in a compromised place, there’s a motive why we’re fighters,” he defined in an unique chat with Bloody Elbow forward of tonight’s struggle in Brussels, which is obtainable on the PFL app. “We’re simply f—ing wired totally different.
“Nobody goes to inform me it’s not going to occur till I really see that it’s not taking place – I’m nonetheless going to coach like Danny the canine. I nonetheless put myself on the entrance foot and gave myself the perfect likelihood of with the ability to set up myself if it does occur.
“My entire mindset and coronary heart was to place hours and hours of labor into that struggle only for just a little little bit of glory. No one else will perceive that except they’re a fighter, they’re not those beating up their our bodies time and time once more then going house and staying away from distractions.
“If I give a lot to one thing, I’ve to be the one one who has hope that it’s going to prevail and that was my job.”
Danny Roberts vows to finish Patrick Habirora’s profitable run
As a substitute of GFL, Roberts moved on to the PFL the place he will get an enormous alternative tonight in Brussels. He takes on undefeated Patrick Habirora in a principal occasion to start out his tenure. The Belgian is 6-0, however has but to face anybody close to the UFC calibre of his British opponent.
“Lots of people assume you’re solely pretty much as good as your final efficiency they usually neglect,” he famous. “Have a look at the Kamaru Usman factor that’s simply gone, he was on a three-loss factor like me they usually all thought ‘you’re accomplished’.
“It’s like ‘come on,’ take a look at the accolades, take a look at the content material of what makes that individual a person and a fighter and who they’re… I really feel such as you’ve acquired to be delusional to realize greatness and he clearly has that, however typically being delusional can get you harm and it’s simply the unsuitable time for him.”