Charlie Brenneman
Brenneman hopes to continue upward momentum
There are career defining moments, the kind of moments that ignite an athlete’s trajectory. Charlie Brenneman is hoping his Saturday bout with Anthony Johnson sends him rocketing skyward.
“The Spaniard” stepped in with less than a day’s notice to defeat surging welterweight Rick Story at UFC on Versus in Pittsburgh earlier this summer. The upset victory not only put him on the divisional map, but guaranteed bigger tests were yet to come.
“I definitely have some momentum coming into this fight, but all it really comes down to is my performance on Saturday night. The win against Rick Story was great. It did wonders for my career and it put me in position to take this next step, which is taking care of business on Saturday.”
Dana White compared Brenneman to Rocky Balboa last time out. While “The Italian Stallion” was Hollywood’s ultimate underdog, Brenneman doesn’t mind playing the role inside of the Octagon.
“I absolutely feel like I’m being overlooked. I don’t mind and don’t care so much but I read everything because I’m an internet junkie. It’s definitely amusing to me how much I am being overlooked. I would certainly say that is the case here.
“I pay attention to these things because I’m a fan and interested in MMA and there is a little extra motivation there when people count you out. It gives me a little bit of pleasure when I can walk away and shove it in all of those haters faces.”
Johnson, who has won 4 out of last 5, is one of the biggest fighters in the welterweight division. In the past Johnson has cut down from nearly 220 pounds to make the 170 lb. limit. While there will certainly be a size difference on Saturday, Brenneman sees advantages in the matchup.
“If you look at his past fights compared to mine and you were a betting man you would definitely say I have the better cardio. With that being said, he looks a lot lighter coming in this week than he has before, so it’s hard to say. It also depends on what he has been doing to get his weight off. The cardio is something that I’m banking on having the advantage in and I’m hoping that shows through.
“I’m either bringing a one-minute hard pace or a fifteen-minute hard pace. It all depends on the outcome of the fight. One thing is for sure – I’m going to push the pace and if he can’t withstand it then I’m going to capitalize and hopefully be the better man.”
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