He still may not have a spot among the top 15 Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweights (yet), but Marc Diakiese firmly believes he’s the top 155-pound fighter competing inside the Octagon today.
“For me, I’m number one. I’m right at the top. Listen to what I am telling you today, I am right at the top, believe that,” said Marc during a recent interview on The MMA Hour.
When asked to clarify a bit further and if he believes he’s better than the likes of Khabib Nurmagomedov, Eddie Alvarez and Tony Ferguson — just to name a few — Diakiese had no qualms in saying he belongs in the group, if not ahead of them.
And the only way to truly prove his case, is to start getting the bigger fights.
“I’m telling you, I am right at the top and if anybody wants to fight me I will be there. I’ve traveled a lot and I know people who I’ve sparred with. I know sparring is different, but, I just know where I stand with these guys.”
Can’t knock the confidence.
Marc is currently undefeated (12-0, 3-0 UFC) and is coming off a spectacular 30-second knockout win over Teemu Packalen at UFC Fight Night 107 (see it again here). Prior to getting his shot inside the Octagon, “Bonecrusher” was the reigning BAMMA 155-pound champion.
As for who he eyes next, Marc says he will take on anyone, preferably a top-ranked fighter. But, he isn’t opposed to a bout against Paul Felder, a man he dubbed an “Irish wannabe” that just “talks shit” and seems to be bitter after Marc took out his teammate, Frankie Perez.
The two got into a Twitter war a few days ago and says he wouldn’t mind taking him on to silence him once and for all and continue his quest to the top.
“UFC is a job. If you don’t perform, you are done and I take that personal,” he said. “If I am fighting somebody to take that from me, I am going to hurt them and that’s what I’m doing. My mentality is completely different now.”
Anyone expect Marc to join the elite class of 155-pound UFC talent and make some championship noise down the road?