UFC Quick Quote: Tarec Saffiedine expects stand-up fight with Robbie Lawler at UFC on FOX 8

"I think we will keep this fight standing, that is exciting for the fans. They like to see people standing, we have different styles standing but we are both exciting. However, if it goes to the ground I am ready to go there, it will be an exciting fight. I believe a win will put me close to being a title contender, I think one or two fights away from being a contender. Whenever you fight a top ten opponent and if you win in great fashion it puts you closer, FOX is a huge setting for me to fight in front of I am very excited for this opportunity."

-- Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) welterweight Tarec Saffiedine tells British news outlet MMA Opinion that he is expecting a stand-up battle with Robbie Lawler when the two share the cage at UFC on FOX 8 this summer. "The Sponge" will be making his UFC debut at the event and enters the organization as the final 170-pound champion in Strikeforce history. Saffiedine and Lawler are both known for their stand-up skills --Lawler as a big-time power-puncher and Saffiedine as a crafty technician-- so the fight will likely be decided by which man can better impose their game plan. The match up has significant implications for the weight class as both fighters are in the top-10 of the official UFC rankings, which leads Saffiedine to believe a title shot could be on the horizon with a win.

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