Damien Brown Eyes Submission Win Over Tofiq Musayev, Then Wants Patricky Freire

Damien Brown has gotten his wish of fighting in the Rizin Fighting Federation lightweight grand prix, and he has a plan.

After going 2-0 with the promotion, he earned a new contract to be part of the grand prix, and claims it was his career goal to be a part of a tournament. "It is still pretty surreal and looks at the names of who is in it, it really is a world grand prix," Brown (19-12) told Sherdog.com. "It has guys who have never lost, former UFC guys. It will be such a cool experience to be a part of this. I'm just excited to get in there and do my best."

On Oct. 12 in Osaka, Japan, Brown will be taking on Tofiq Musayev (16-3) at Rizin 19 as part of the lightweight grand prix opening round. Although Musayev has not lost since 2014, after Brown watched his past two fights in Rizin, the Aussie believes Musayev is beatable.

"I think winning streaks are like undefeated records. He has won 11 in a row but I just beat a guy that has won eight or nine in a row," he said. "The winning streaks don't worry me, if anything, the fact that he has a winning streak and not an undefeated record means he has been beaten before and they can be beaten again. He has a super aggressive style. I'm kind of the same and happy to fight fire with fire. When it really comes down to it, I can put everything to the side and just fight."

"Beatdown" says he can win this fight in a variety of different ways, but he believes his jiu-jitsu will be a major factor, and feels he can submit Musayev.

"As long as I can execute the plan that I go in with, the fans should see a super exciting fight. It will play out in the center of the ring, but I see myself getting a finish," Brown explained. "I think I'll probably submit him, but I'm happy to strike with him."

If he can pull off the win, Brown will move on to the second round, where he already knows who he wants to fight next. Believing Patricky Freire to be the biggest name in the grand prix, he wants "Pitbull" next, in a fight he is confident he can win.

"That is the guy I wanted in the first round. He is probably the favorite, just because of his name, his experience to the North American audience," Brown said. "I feel like he is very beatable, and him being a big name, I want that fight. Hopefully I can get that fight."

In order for Brown to get the fight against "Pitbull," the two of them will first need to win their fights at Rizin 19.