Mutapcic (photo via Lucas Noonan / WSOF)

By Kelsey Mowatt

Elvis Mutapcic may have been hoping to capture headlines heading into his World Series of Fighting debut in September, but clearly not for the reasons that led to just that. After being pulled from WSOF 5, due to the athletic commission’s suspicion that the fighter may have taken an undisclosed prescription drug, it didn’t take long for Mutapcic’s name to make the internet rounds. While Mutapcic angrily denied the accusation, and had a drug test administered shortly after, it couldn’t change the fact his WSOF debut wouldn’t take place that night.

“Honestly, I was pissed off the first time but they say everything happens for a reason,” Mutapcic said recently on Full Contact Fighter Radio, while discussing the circumstances that led to his middleweight tourney semifinal with Jesse Taylor being cancelled. “I got more time to prepare, to be even more ready. I had just enough time in between the last training camp and this training camp to let my body recover, the little bumps and bruises to go away.”

Now the bout is set for WSOF 7, which will take place December 7th at the PNE Agrodome in Vancouver, British Columbia.

“I honestly think I’m going to be even better off,” Mutapcic (13-2) added. “I still wish we would have fought the first time you know, but stuff happens, so I’ll make the best of it this time.”

“I lost almost three months of my life training for the fight,” the 27 year-old added later in the interview. “I’m sure Jesse did too. Neither one of us made money on sponsors, nobody got a winning purse, and I think it was a setback for everybody, all the way around, including the athletic commission.”

Elvis Mutapcic pounding Jacen Flynn at MFC 34 (photo via Maximum Fighting)

With the two set to battle in a couple of weeks time, the focus will likely return to the match-up itself. Taylor (26-9) is of course a well travelled vet, who has competed for various promotion’s around the world including the UFC. More recently, the 29 year-old fighter has won six fights in a row.

It will be interesting to see how Taylor approaches Mutapcic at WSOF 7, considering the striking skills the latter has showcased in recent fights. Three of Mutapcic’s last five wins have come via knockout or TKO, which includes stoppage wins over TUF vets Joseph Henle and Cezar Ferreira.

“Absolutely; I believe so,” said Mutapcic, when asked if he’s expecting frequent takedown attempts from Taylor. “If I didn’t that would be ignorant of me. If he didn’t try to, it wouldn’t be wise of him to stay on his feet. It is MMA, everybody improves, but I believe I’m the superior striker. He believes he is the superior wrestler.”

“I think whoever does better at what the other guy’s worse at is going to win the fight,” Mutapcic furthered. “I said that before. I think my wrestling is good enough and my jiu-jitsu is good enough to neutralize what he wants to do, so I can do what I want to do. If it goes to the ground, I have no problem being on the ground; I’ve got no problem submitting him. He is extremely good. I’m not by any means looking past him.”

WSOF 5 will be broadcast live in the U.S. on the NBC Sports Network, and will feature light-heavyweight Anthony Johnson taking on Mike Kyle in the main event.