Barriault trained with former foe Sanchez ahead of UFC 240
As the old saying goes: "If you can't beat them, join them."
That's exactly what Marc-Andre Barriault did ahead of his fight this Saturday at UFC 240 against Krzysztof Jotko, spending some time training at Tristar Gym with his last opponent, Andrew Sanchez.
"I went to Tristar a couple of times during this camp," Barriault told theScore. "... Everything was on point. It’s very good for my confidence and I did great with those guys. I know I belong in this game. I’m ready to show it to everybody on Saturday."
He added: "I worked a little bit with Olivier-Aubin Mercier, the "Canadian Gangster," and also sparred two times with Andrew (Sanchez). ... There are no hard feelings between each other. Big respect and we helped each other a lot. I’m glad to have him as a training partner."
Barriault's (11-2) promotional debut in June ended in a unanimous decision loss to Sanchez at UFC Fight Night 151 in Ottawa, Ontario. The setback snapped the 29-year-old's eight-fight winning streak, and now he's searching for his first UFC victory against Jotko.
Jotko (20-4) hasn't won back-to-back fights since November 2016. Two of those losses have come by knockout, so Barriault, a former two-division TKO MMA champion, believes he can finish the fight.
"I think I have knockout power. I know Jotko has been knocked out two times in his last (three) fights so I think he will be fragile. I will just establish myself as the predator at the beginning and I will let everything go. Hit hard and enjoy. When I enjoy the fight I do great."
UFC 240 takes place this Saturday at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta. Featherweight champion Max Holloway will defend his title against Frankie Edgar in the main event.
Watch the full interview with Barriault below and subscribe to theScoreMMA Youtube channel here.