23-year-old Ateba Gautier not rushing development after another knockout
UFC 320 winner Ateba Gautier spoke to MMA Junkie and reporters post-fight after his first-round TKO of Treston Vines
LAS VEGAS – The UFC was high on Ateba Gautier heading into his third fight in the promotion.
The middleweight had “UFC Embedded” camera crews tagging along with him in Manchester, England, before he headed to the States. And despite him having just two fights in the promotion, it dubbed him the “scariest fighter in the world” on YouTube.
Then his opponent, Ozzy Diaz dropped out. But given Gautier’s prospect status, the UFC was keen on getting him a replacement on short notice. In stepped Treston Vines (10-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC), and he instantly became one of the biggest underdogs in UFC history against Gautier (9-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC), who was as much as a 20-1 betting favorite to close out the UFC 320 prelims at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
To say Gautier lived up to the hype would be an understatement. He needed only 101 seconds to put Vines away along the fence after a pair of brutal elbows to the side of the head. Once Vines tried to pivot, Gautier literally wringed his neck and bullied him to the canvas, where the promotional newcomer crumpled and quickly was saved from more damage.
But before the elbows came a knee from a canted angle only Norm MacDonald could love. It was from such an unconventional position when he threw it that even the broadcast team seemed surprised by it.
But for Gautier, it was just a natural technique.
“I used to drill it, so it was just my body’s reaction. I didn’t know he was coming, but as soon as I saw him, my body just did what it knows best,” Gautier said at his post-fight press conference.
Gautier’s rise has been fast. He’s had nothing but knockouts since the only loss of his pro career, which was a split decision a little more than three years ago – and one he no doubt takes issue with.
After that, it’s been one first-round knockout after another – except for his Dana White’s Contender Series fight. For that one a year ago, he needed the second round to take out Yura Naito and win a contract.
Gautier’s win over Vines didn’t get him a bonus for the first time – perhaps owed to the fact as a 20-1 favorite he was expected to do, in essence, just what he did against Vines. But he left essentially untouched and can get back in again soon – which is his preference.
“I want to fight as much as possible,” Gautier said. “In my professional career, I don’t have much experience, so I just need to fight more. I’m not going to say, like, ‘I need top five … top 10.’ No – that’s being stupid. I need to go step by step, take my time – there’s no rush. I’m 23, so why should I go like crazy? It’s OK.
“I’m going to be the champion. I will be the champion. There’s no point to rush. I will be. I’m sure. Definitely – I will be the champion. But I need more experience. Experience changes everything.”
