Alex Caceres UK Exclusive: "I am Ready to Remind People I am Still Here"

Kingdom MMA Talk to Alex Caceres ahead of his Fight with Sergio Pettis

by Chris Marzella - @chrismarzella

There aren't many guys in the UFC bantamweight currently riding a four fight win streak, well, sort of.

There is, however, one man flying under the radar, piecing together a noce little run of form for himself.

Alex Caceres (9-5), better known to fans as Bruce Leeroy, is back in action at UFC on Fox 10 this coming Saturday night against the impressive Sergio Pettis (10-0).

Caceres is back for the first time since his split decision win over Roland Delorme at UFC 165 back in September.

He has pieced together a four fight win streak, well he would have had he not failed a post fight drug test at UFC on Fuel TV 8 in Japan last March resulting in his win over Kyung Ho Kang being overturned and being recorded as a no-contest.

Speaking to KingdomMMA.co.uk, Caceres said of his Pettis and his UFC debut: "I did not watch the fight so all I can expect from what I hear is a tough stand up guy."

"I'm never sure how it will end there are so many possibilities so I try to keep my options open, but as for advantages I believe length and experience would be my biggest."

The prospect of having a win against an up and comer like Pettis could very well be the fight Caceres needs to get more attention from both the UFC and the fans. Of the match up he said: "Well I'm never too sure, I will just do my best and let the UFC decide from there hopefully it will finally prove my worth to others but if not I still know my true value, what appeals to me is a chance to fight, it doesn't matter who.

"I feel like I'm always getting better in all areas as for this fight we just worked on becoming a better version of Alex."

As confident as he is in his own abilities Caceres does not seem the type to open his mouth and talk his way up the rankings. When asked where a win would leave him in the bantamweight rankings he said: "That is not my choice for I'm not the type to call out anyone so it truly depends on the UFC whether they want to keep me hidden or show me off.

"All I can do is keep performing well against whoever."

Coming off of the six month drug suspension in 2013 could very well have harmed not only Caceres standing in the division but his very spot on the roster. Caceres, however, was never fearful for his spot in the organisation and claims that he doesn't need to use the experience as motivation going forward.

He said: "There was no concern. I don't really care so much how I am ranked, as for the motivation it's life that drives me, nothing outside of myself can do the same."

His fight with Pettis will be Caceres first fight on US soil since he defeated Damacio Page back on July 2012. Returning to action in the USA may prove to be the fragment of motivation needed to extended the unbeaten run. Caceres said "Wow. I did not realise it's been that long but it feels good to bring it back to the States to give the people something to go crazy about, remind them that I am still here."

UFC on Fox 10 takes place January 25 from the United Centre, Chicago, Illinois.

Video: AXS TV Fights 2013 Hightlights (Must SEE)

Video: AXS TV Fights 2013 Hightlights
By Chris Houten - @mrhouts

2013 was one of the best years in the history of MMA. We have seen stars rise and champions fall, amazing new talent emerge, and a host of international talent literally rise up like a phoenix from the ashes... and that's just whats gone on in the UFC this year.

Fans who haven't had the privilege of watching AXS TV Fights 2013 highlights video can be forgiven for thinking its been all UFC this year, but wait....

From the US TV network which is home to Legacy FC, XFC, MFC, RFA, CFA, BAMMA and others, sit back and enjoy 3 minutes of brutal slams, kicks, punches and submissions from the likes of Paul Daley, Sergio Pettis, Holly Holm, Brandon Thatch and many more.......GOOD NIGHT IRENE!

Video: RF8 Flyweight Titlefight - Sergio Pettis vs Dillard Pegg (Full Fight)

Video: RF8 Flyweight Titlefight - Sergio Pettis vs Dillard Pegg (Full Fight)

RFA 8 went down last night from a packed out The Rave / Eagles Club in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who were all there to see the Headline fight between 19-year old Sergio Pettis (7-0) and Dillard Pegg (5-1) who meet for the RFA Flyweight title

We wont spoil it for you if you don't know the result yet....... this one finishes quick!

Jeff Curran Out, Dillard Pegg Now Meets Sergio Pettis in RFA 8 Title Fight

Jeff Curran out, Dillard Pegg now meets Sergio Pettis in RFA 8 title fight

RFA president Ed Soares announced today that due to personal reasons, Jeff Curran was forced to pull out of the RFA 8 main event. Soares also confirmed that Dillard "Smokin' Joe" Pegg (5-1) has agreed to step up as a late replacement to fight Sergio "The Phenom" Pettis (7-0) for the RFA flyweight title in the main event of RFA 8 - Pettis vs. Pegg. RFA 8 takes place on Friday, June 21st at the historic The Rave / Eagles Club in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV starting at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.

"It's unfortunate that Jeff Curran had to pull out of the fight on short notice, but this happens, even at the highest levels of MMA," said Soares. As an organization that models itself after the UFC, we had to move forward and find a worthy replacement to give the fans an exciting title fight that is just as compelling as the original bout. Luckily, we were able to find that in "Smokin' Joe" Pegg. Pegg has finished all four opponents he has faced in 2013 and brings an explosive striking arsenal that will clash well with Sergio Pettis. Pegg is in shape after winning a fight five days ago with a 42-second submission, and like Sergio Pettis, he’s also a second degree Black Belt in Taekwondo. He's fast, aggressive, and looks for the finish. This is a huge opportunity for Pegg and I believe this is going to be a great main event for the first ever RFA flyweight title."

Pegg fights out of Amelia, Ohio with Team G-Force MMA. Dillard has a total of six professional fights with three knockouts and two submissions with his most recent submission coming June 7 over Jeremy Pender at Absolute Action MMA. Pegg has been fighting professionally for the past six years. He holds a black belt in Taekwondo and is known for his striking and aggressive fighting style.

"I didn't hesitate when the RFA called me, because headlining this card and fighting for a title against Sergio Pettis is the chance of a lifetime," said Pegg. "I expect people to look over me, but they shouldn't. I'm going to give everything I have on June 21st. I don't care what your last name is, this is a fight, and you never know what can happen. If I beat Pettis, not only will my confidence be sky high, but it also shows that win on national TV. This is a huge opportunity for my career and I am excited, in shape. and ready to take on Sergio Pettis."

The co-main event of RFA 8 is also a title fight, as RFA featherweight champion Jared "Demon Eyes" Downing (10-1) attempts to defend his title for the first time against four-time All-American wrestler turned undefeated MMA fighter Lance "The Party" Palmer (6-0).

Downing is a standout fighter at Hard Drive MMA in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. At RFA 1, he defeated TUF 14 alumni Eric Marriott. Three months later, he would fight and defeat highly touted Brazilian prospect Alessandro "Zoio" Ferreira at RFA 2. That win earned Downing a shot at the RFA featherweight title last November as the main event of RFA 5. He gave the unbeaten TUF 15 alum Jordan Rinaldi his first loss in a dominant five-round unanimous decision.

Downing is now ready to defend his title against one of the most talented featherweight prospects in the sport.

"I'm happy that I get to fight Lance, who comes from a great camp like Team Alpha Male. He is a really good wrestler, but he has to bring more to the table in this fight. This will be an exciting fight, but I'm bringing my belt back home to Iowa," said RFA featherweight champion Downing.

Downing's stifling wrestling base and relentless cage control will be put to the test against Palmer, who is one of the most decorated wrestlers in Ohio's state history. His time at wrestling powerhouse St. Edward High School, where he won four state titles, was the centerpiece of the award-winning documentary Pinned. Palmer was also voted one of the "Top 50 Athletes of the Decade" by JJHuddle.com, Ohio's leading source of high school sports. Palmer went on to become a four-time NCAA Division I All-American in wrestling at The Ohio State University.

The main card of RFA 8 - Pettis vs. Pegg will be televised live on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT on Friday, June 21. Taking place live from inside The Rave / Eagles Club in Milwaukee, this venue was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. RFA 8 will be the promotion's first event in the "Badger State" and will kick off a summer of festivities in the "City of Festivals".