UFC Rochester | Derrick Krantz explains how fighting on short-notice is an advantage
Vicente Luque was set to take on Neil Magny in the co-main event of UFC Rochester this Saturday. However, that is no longer the case. Magny was forced to withdraw due to USADA issues. Now LFA veteran, Derrick Krantz steps in on short-notice to scrap the 15th ranked, Luque.
The 31-year-old is coming off of a very impressive knockout over Justin Patterson at LFA 63 in the main event where UFC President, Dana White was in attendance. There, White initially signed the veteran to a Contender Series shot. But, now the natural welterweight will step in on just days notice to scrap Luque.
Although Luque has had weeks to prepare for this fight, Krantz has only had days. Plus, he has to cut down in weight as well. However, he has been in the gym training. And, he believes it could very well be a benefit to him stepping in on short-notice.
“I can see it as a benefit,” Krantz told MMA Junkie on Thursday. “Being able to, you know, just not even having to go through the whole week of cutting weight and worry about making weigh or what my opponent might do or what might happen. Right now my mind is just so focused on getting everything else ready so I can actually fight.”
Ultimately, Krantz is just excited for his UFC debut and eager to finally step foot in the Octagon after making his pro debut way back in 2008. There he has foughten some of UFC and Bellator fighters like Dustin Poirier, Andrey Koreshkov, Charles Byrd, who he beat, Derek Campos and Alex Morono as well.
The veteran has been in there with some of the best and is prepared to face Luque on Saturday night. He is around a +500 underdog, but he doesn’t care. Rather, he just wants to fight and prove everyone wrong.
