Davi Ramos vs. Artem Reznikov Lightweight Tourney Quarterfinal Set for ACA 140

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The first of four quarterfinals for the Absolute Championship Akhmat lightweight tournament is official.

The promotion announced on Thursday that Davi Ramos (10-4) would be facing Artem Reznikov (22-6) in the first leg of the ACA's lightweight grand prix. The two will throw down in Sochi, Russia, at the Red Arena on June 17, at the event titled ACA 140. Ramos was recently released from the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and the 2015 ADCC champion celebrated his new fight on his Instagram immediately after the news broke. The Brazilian spoke to Sherdog about this matchup on Thursday, discussing his improved training camp and how he will ready himself for this kind of challenge.

“I was prepared since I was nine to test myself against the best, and definitely Artem Reznikov is one of them,” Ramos explained. “I’m already training hard to face him on June 17 in Sochi in my first fight. I evolved a lot during all [the] time I kept training, making myself available to fight in UFC, even in welterweight or middleweight division. I’m really hungry to win this tournament, and Artem will face my best version.”

His opponent out of Kazakhstan is riding an eight-fight win streak, and he presents a style similar to the likes of Arman Tsarukyan and Islam Makhachev. Both of those Russians defeated him in a similar fashion, ultimately leading to the conclusion of his UFC contract with an awkward lull in getting fights. Despite this, Ramos is not overly concerned with Reznikov’s skillset.

“The wrestlers always avoid [taking] me down, like Tsarukyan and Islam did, and I don’t think Artem will be any different,” Ramos noted. “The big difference will be the new weapons I’m bringing. I’m ready [for] a five-round war, but my goal is finish the fight [in] the first round.”

According to the “Tasmanian Devil,” the addition of Raoni Barcelos and his father Laerte Barcelos, who left Pedro Rizzo’s team to train with him, is incredible. He expressed his satisfaction with the new teammates to prepare for a wrestler like Reznikov, and others that he could fight down the line should he make it to the semifinals and beyond.

“[I] have a sparring partner like Raoni, a Brazilian wrestling champion, Rousimar 'Toquinho' Palhares and a boxing champion like Erivan Conceicao in [my] daily routine is helping me to reach my prime. My goal is win this tournament, and I’ll show how hungry I am on June 17,” Ramos concluded.