Raulian Paiva Expects to Finish Sean O’Malley in Second Round at UFC 269

Ultimate Fighting Championship bantamweight Raulian Paiva does not just think he will win next week, but he expects he will get a finish within two rounds.

On a three-fight win streak, Paiva (21-3) is scheduled to face Sean O'Malley (14-1) on the main card of UFC 269. Brazil’s Paiva spoke to Sherdog last Friday talking about his upcoming challenge.

“After three straight wins, I thought UFC would give me a ranked guy,” Paiva admitted, “but after all the hype over O’Malley, I think a clear win over him will take me to the rankings anyway.”

Training at Team Alpha Male in California for the last two months, Paiva believes the support of high-level sparring partners will give him an edge in the fight.

"Unlike O’Malley, I love to train hard and be pressured,” Paiva explained. “Here in Alpha Male, I can count on some of the best lightweights in the world. There are no easy days.”

Paiva continued, “O’Malley is the opposite. I’ve heard he doesn’t train with Kyler Phillips anymore because the guy always gives him [a] hard time in sparring. I gave a hard time to Phillips in my last fight, and since then I’ve improved a lot. The only experienced guy O’Malley faced, Marlon Vera, he quit; he will not stand three rounds with me. I’ll finish him [in] the second [round], no matter by knockout or submission.”

The Brazilian also revealed that Cody Garbrandt, who will make his debut at flyweight on the same night, was one of his most frequent sparring partners.

"Since I came here the first time, Cody has been one of the nicest guys with me,” he said. “This time, once he will fight [Kai] Kara France, who I already faced. I’ve tried to help him a lot. He also helped me with his speed. I’m sure he will do great in the new division.”

Although Garbrandt may be his primary training partner, Paiva was quick to point to the his most important asset of the camp: “The Boss” Urijah Faber.

“Faber is such an unbelievable person,” Paiva gushed. “Seeing a legend of the sport calling me up every day to train and believing in my potential is just amazing, and [pushes] me to give my best every single day.”

When asked about who he would like to face, should he beat O’Malley, he has a name in mind inspired by his coach, Faber.

“If I win, I will challenge Marlon Vera, who challenged Faber. If he wants to face our leader, he will have to beat me and my partner Yadong Song first,” Paiva confidently concluded.