Tim Means (image via UFC / YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Tim Means returned to the column at UFC Vegas 6, by defeating Laureano Staropoli, but recording his 30th pro-win was no walk in the park.

Both fighters fired and scored with some hard shots in the bout. But, ultimately it was Means who controlled more of the action with his wrestling and clinch game.

While reflecting on the hard-fought victory afterward, the ‘Dirty Bird’ said this (quotes via MMA Junkie).

“We saw everything in practice. Some of those spinning attacks were a little bit quicker, so I kind of waited out the first round, waited for the second round, let him get dog-tired, kept mixing the body locks, the takedowns. (I) started trying to wear him down. I could hear him slowly breathing. We were working on head kicks. I think I dropped him with a head kick in the second round. I wanted to jump on him a little bit quicker, but it just shows the durability of guys in this weight class and in the UFC. And this guy in particular – tough as nails. There is not an easy fight in this league.”

Means was fighting for the first time since February, when he was submitted by Daniel Rodriguez. It was also his third bout back, after Means broke his ankle and leg in March, 2019, during a loss to Niko Price.

“I can look myself in the mirror and tell myself the truth right out of the gate: I’m not a quitter. I might do some stupid things along the way and own what I do wrong – earn my reputation, earn my way. But I don’t quit. And that’s what we were stating out there today: We don’t quit.”

Following Saturday’s bout, the 36 -year-old Means has a record of 30-12-1, with 1 no-contest.