UFC 209's Mirsad Bektic feels prepared to beat any 145-pounder as is, but still 'getting better daily'

This isn’t the first time he said it, and he’ll probably say it again: Mirsad Bektic thinks he can beat anybody in the 145-pound division.

But just because he’s confident doesn’t mean he is comfortable. That’s why, in spite of feeling like he’s already capable of beating both undisputed 145-pound champion Jose Aldo and interim titleholder Max Holloway, Bektic is not about to settle for simply good enough.

“As far as can I beat them now? Yes, I can beat them now,” Bektic told MMAjunkie Radio. “But I’m getting better daily. I’m better today than I was yesterday. So I always have a mentality I can get better, I’m always open-minded, I listen to what people suggest to do and I try it and if it works for me, it works for me.

“If it doesn’t, I let it go and I keep getting better. When that time comes, I’m going to be better than I’m going to be Saturday night, and next year I’m going to be twice as good as, hopefully, I am this year. I believe you can’t just be stagnate.”

And, while we’re on the subject of UFC champions, Bektic is quick to reply when asked whether he agrees with a prediction that he’ll get a title shot before year’s end.

“Of course I agree with your prediction,” Bektic answered with a laugh. “It’s a great prediction.”

But first things first. While the fate of the featherweight throne now rides on a title-unifying scrap between Aldo and Holloway at June 3’s UFC 212, Bektic (11-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) needs to get past Darren Elkins (21-5 MMA, 11-4 UFC) at Saturday’s UFC 209. The scrap is set for the FS1-televised preliminary portion of the event that takes place at T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas.

Currently the No. 12 fighter in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA featherweight rankings, Bektic brings in an unblemished record that most recently includes a dominant performance over Russell Doane at UFC 204. Elkins, in turn, comes in with a more irregular, but also much larger record that is currently capped off by a three-fight streak.

The matchup, Bektic believes, will be a “real treat” for the fans. And, as far as his own benefits go, he thinks it may amount to a spot at the division’s top-10. But, other than that, don’t expect him to waste too much time on odds and projections.

“I haven’t even looked at the odds at all,” said Bektic, who is a 6-1 favorite over Elkins in the fight. “I really don’t pay attention to those things. I just focus on myself and being the best that I can be and that’s what I’m focused on, going Saturday and just showcasing the best Mirsad possible.”

In order to make sure that happens, however, Bektic relies on the type of focus that guided him through an ACL injury that kept him sidelined for over a year. Feeling tougher after the ordeal, Bektic credits his professional approach to fighting as the reason for his continued success through it all.

“I think a lot of guys treat it as a hobby, because, in general, we’re technically our own bosses,” Bektic said. “There’s nobody that can make us do anything. Nobody can make us go to the gym, but some days you’re going to wake up and not feel like going. I’ve been more consistent and I’ve kind of become obsessed with it.

“All my time that I don’t spend at the gym I spent thinking about it and just working my craft outside of the gym as well. And just studying and it shaving things off and cleaning up my technique and just getting better every day.”

For more on UFC 209, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

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