Zak Cummings believes he’s a ‘very bad match-up’ for Omari Akhmedov at UFC 242
Looking back on his first fight of 2019, middleweight Zak Cummings feels like there were some areas he could have done better in, but was overall pleased with how the bout turned out.
Facing Trevin Giles at UFC on ESPN+ 10 in May, Cummings was able to outlast his opponent and pick up a late third round submission victory.
“I was definitely happy win and get a good finish over an up and coming fighter (in Giles) that had a lot of hype behind him,” Cummings told MMAWeekly.com. “I felt good. I would have liked to have seen me have a little more volume and more control throughout the fight, but I felt like I was winning the fight.
“I got the win and getting the finish was a bonus. I’m happy with it. It definitely gave me some insights that I can learn from as well.”
Now 12 years into his career and on the precipice of fight number 30, Cummings admits he has to make some adjustments for his age and the wear and tear he’s encored during his career, but feels like he’s learned to be a smarter fighter and it has helped with his longevity in the sport.
“I think I’m a much smarter fighter right now,” said Cummings. “I just turned 35, I’m getting older and my body is starting to feel affects a little bit more, so I think it’s forcing me to be smarter with my training.
“I actually feel it’s a benefit to the type of fighter I am now. Before I just put my head down and kind of went through everything, but I’m more methodical with my game plans and the way I’m training and all that stuff now. I think it’s benefited me.”
At UFC 242 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Cummings (23-6) will look to pick up his third straight win when he faces Omari Akhmedov (18-4-1) in a preliminary 185-pound bout.
This article first appeared at News – MMAWeekly.com
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