Juan Archuleta has accomplished a lot in his career, but there is still another box he wants to check out before he goes into the fight.
As a former Bellator and Lysine champion, the now 38-year-old veteran has fought the best in several promotions, but he recognizes that he hasn’t had the opportunity to compete in the UFC. After rough injuries and timing caused some losses, Archuleta was reset and received the resumption needed when he scored a Joe Drop knockout in Boroca Promotion 3.
“An ideal scenario where you walk away at the end of the storybook,” Archuleta told MMA that he was fighting over his desire to sign with the UFC. “It’s definitely an ideal situation. Finish the last three or four years of opportunity I have now and get on the sunset.
“Obviously, I have to bring something worthwhile to the UFC for them to sign me. Now it seems like they want to see who they want to fight or who they want to end the fight.”
Archuleta undoubtedly lived in that part of his recent victory agreement after delivering a flying knee knockout that absolutely crushed Dennis Linton in the battle in June.
The highlights exploded on social media after Archuleta’s knees connected with an unpleasant sound before Linton first smashed his face onto the canvas.
Archuleta was then sent back clips over and over, just as he had further evidence that he may have scored a potential knockout for this year’s candidate.
“They said, ‘Hey, what’s wrong? This is insane, check this out!” Yeah, I did it! ” Archuleta said with a laugh. “It was cool. It was a special moment in my career. Cub Swanson, who I have worked throughout my career, said, “This guy is ready to commit and continue playing with his defense.”
“In that fight early in the round, he came in so hard, I tried to hit my knee and then I tried to jump my knee.
Obviously, Archuleta realizes that not all fights end in a similar way, but he knows he has the ability to get such a memorable finish.
He doesn’t make any predictions about his fight with Johnson on Saturday, but Archuleta expects something similar will be needed to sign the final deal of his career to get the attention of the UFC.
“That’s where I’m here now. Everything Joe (Stevenson) said would happen so far,” Archureta said. “Okay, this last run will be making UFC and making my mark.
“If this doesn’t happen, sign up for Lysin in the new year and run one more time there with the featherweight title.”