Trujillo (photo credit: Ryan Loco)

Says “I’ll Be Better Prepared” As a Result of UFC 151 Being Cancelled

By Kelsey Mowatt

After scoring a unanimous decision win over Frank Carrillo in June, Abel “Killa” Trujillo was awarded a UFC contract and assigned the task of fighting rising lightweight Tim Means at UFC 151. As everyone now knows, however, the September 1st event was cancelled due to extremely well documented and debated events. The Octagon debut Trujillo has worked so long and hard for will have to wait.

“At first I was a little upset, frustrated more,” Trujillo told Full Contact Fighter, when asked to comment about the event’s cancellation. “I was really looking forward to that date. I had that locked in. I liked the event, the card, where it was to be held and money’s kind of tight, so I was looking forward to it.”

A few days after it was announced that UFC 151 had been cancelled, the promotion announced that the Trujillo, Means bout had been moved to its upcoming December 8th card in Seattle.

“On the other hand, I believe everything happens for a reason, so it was better,” said Trujillo, who added that he’s not upset with anyone regarding the card’s cancellation. “I had a couple of minor injuries and I was just pushing through them. I found out about the event August 1st, and the fight was September 1st, so, I was just figuring out Tim’s style, having people come in to mimic him. I realized that I can let my injuries heal and I have more time to train for him. I’ll be better prepared.”

In Means, Trujillo will face a man who is undefeated in 11 straight fights, and is coming off a quick stoppage win over fellow prospect and wrestler Justin Salas. Despite his opponent’s resume, however, Trujillo is confident he’ll deliver a win at UFC on FOX 5.

“For one, Justin Salas is not the caliber of wrestler I am,” said Trujillo, while discussing the differences he sees between himself and Means’ last opponent. “Number two, he may have overlooked Tim Means; his reach, and he probably got stunned early and Means capitalized on it. I’ve been working with longer guys these last few weeks, so I think it will be a very different outcome.”

Trujillo (photo via Ryan Loco)

As the 5’8 tall, All American NAIA wrestler alluded too, he will have to counter the reach advantage that the 6’2 Means (18-3) used to his full advantage against the much shorter Salas.

“He’s good; he’s real long and has a lot of reach,” Trujillo (9-4) said. “He switches it up; uses punches, kicks, knees, elbows and he’s really aggressive. It’s a good fight.”

“I’m just going to switch it up and go off his reactions,” Trujillo added, when asked if he’ll be looking to take the fight to the mat. “Whatever he does I’m going to capitalize off that.”

While Trujillo is quick to cite his wrestling abilities as a strength he posses, due to his experiences training with the renowned Blackzilians team in Florida,the 28 year-old-fighter cautions against overlooking other elements of his game.

“By training with the Blackzilians, I train with a lot of different 55’ers every week and I try to take a little bit from each one,” said Trujillo, who has won four straight fights heading into his Octagon debut. “I try to take something I like from each fighter and put it into my own game plan.”

After turning pro in August, 2009, it’s taken Trujillo only three years to make it to the sport’s biggest stage.

“I had been hoping it would happen, but I didn’t really know if it was; it had been in the back of mind,” said Trujillo, who tapped out Strikeforce and Elite XC vet James Edson Berto in April, while competing under the Championship Fighting Alliance banner. “I didn’t know when; I just thought it would.”

As a result of Means’ current streak and the skills he possesses, Trujillo is keenly aware of the opportunity he has to make a big impression in his Octagon debut.

“Hell yeah; it’s an awesome opportunity. If I beat him everyone will know I’m legit,” said Trujillo. “He’s 2-0 in the UFC, eleven fight win streak, so a lot of people wouldn’t like to face that kind of competition but I’m all for it.”