UFC on FOX 18: Dustin Ortiz Talks Wilson Reis, Explains “Anytime, Anywhere” Motto
Dustin Ortiz (via Twitter / @DustinOrtizMMA)
By Kelsey Mowatt
Dustin Ortiz may have wanted to fight someone who is higher than him in the ranks, but at a time when flyweight bouts are hard to come by, the fighter jumped on the chance to face Wilson Reis.
Ortiz and Reis will battle at UFC on FOX 18 on Saturday, which will take place in Newark, New Jersey. The bout will mark the first time Ortiz has fought since last August, when he stopped Willie Gates. That victory was the only bout Ortiz had in 2015.
So, when the UFC came calling and offered Ortiz (15-4) a top 15 ranked opponent in Reis, the #9 ranked flyweight wasn’t about to pass. Reis is currently positioned at #12.
“Oh absolutely. I’m not one to be picking and choosing fights. It’s just as long as I keep them going,” Ortiz said on a recent episode of Full Contact Fighter Radio. “Everyone needs to understand that you can’t fight forever and I’m young, and I’m in shape, and I’m healthy, so all I want to do is fight right now…”
“My job is 100% fighting right now, so as long as I’m healthy right now, let’s keep these fights going. Whoever it is, anywhere, anytime, I’m here to fight.”
Reis (19-6), meanwhile, will be fighting for the first time since last May, when he was decisioned by “Jussier” Formiga. The defeat followed consecutive victories Reis recorded over Joby Sanchez and Scott Jorgensen.
“Ya. He’s a solid guy, tough guy. He’s fought a lot of experienced guys,” the 27 year-old flyweight noted about the 31 year-old Reis. “He’s very experienced. He’s fought in all kinds of different weight classes.”
“I feel like I have the upper hand in every aspect of this game,” Ortiz added. “I’m faster than him. The cardio is right there. The strength is, you know, everything is just right. I think I’m a step ahead of him for this fight. I’ve been training well over what anybody needs to be doing…It’s getting time to show that.”
UFC on FOX 18 will be hosted by the Prudential Center in Newark, and will be headlined by a light-heavyweight bout between Ryan Bader and Anthony Johnson.
