TORONTO – Serhiy Sidey is no stranger to rematches.
Sidey (10-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) runs things back with Ramon Taveras (9-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) in Saturday’s event at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
Sidey earned a UFC contract when he knocked out Taveras at Dana White’s Contender Series 61 in September – a stoppage that UFC CEO Dana White called “one of the worst ref stoppages” he’s ever seen. Taveras made good in his second opportunity at a contract when he scored a 29-second finish at DWCS 63.
UFC 297 will mark Sidey’s third rematch.
“Honestly, it’s not that weird,” Sidey told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s UFC 296 media day. “In my professional career I’ve had two rematches and I did it twice, and I finished those guys the second time around quicker than the first time. So honestly, it’s nothing new for me. I made the adjustments, I’m just going to do this in a cleaner fashion this time.”
Sidey relishes the opportunity to top his first-round finish of Taveras at home.
“Some people might say it’s pressure, but I live for this pressure,” Sidey said. “I live for the fact that I get to perform in front of people, in front of my loved ones. I fought so many fights where I was in enemy territory, fighting with the hometown disadvantage but this time, I’m going to use that energy of the crowd and I’m going to fuel it for this fight.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 297.
