Jose Ochoa is targeting a statement performance when he meets Clayton Carpenter in the opening bout of UFC 328 on Saturday at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
Ochoa enters the flyweight matchup with an 8-2 MMA record and 1-2 mark in the UFC, with all eight of his professional wins coming by stoppage, including seven by KO or TKO. Carpenter also holds an 8-2 MMA record and is 2-2 in the UFC.
"After my last showing against Asu, I've been working a ton on my grappling game," Ochoa said, referencing his decision loss to Asu Almabayev in July. He added, "I think this rival, Clayton, is precisely what the doctor ordered. I've been working a lot on my deficiencies as well as my strengths, and on Saturday I will show what I've been working on at Chute Box. I expect a great performance."
Ochoa has defeated Cody Durden in the UFC and dropped decisions to Lone'er Kavanagh and Almabayev, and said he has focused on improving his grappling and defensive wrestling since his most recent setback.
Confident in his finishing ability, Ochoa said, "I have the power to stop him," and, "I believe I have the punching power, specifically the left hand, and I think that it will ring his bell on Saturday."
"Once you're in the UFC, you're only fighting high-level fighters, so you can't expect to have easy fights or fighters with little will or strength," Ochoa said. "I've had it tough, yeah, but I'm also showing I have the level to compete. This upcoming fight is a good fight for me, and I think it's going to push me to be fighting for bigger opportunities in my UFC career."
