Li Jingliang on his first reaction to Tony Ferguson Matchup: “Let’s do it. It’s amazing.”

For UFC welterweight Li Jingliang, Tony Ferguson is a “bigger name and tougher opponent” that he’s pleased to face.

This will mark Ferguson’s return to the division after an 11-year hiatus and comes at a time when he’s lost four fights in a row, including a knockout of the year contender vs. Michael Chandler this past May.

“Surprised. I was shocked, same as all you guys,” Jingliang said of being offered Ferguson by the UFC. “My first reaction was like, ‘Does UFC want me to drop down to 155?’ And then they told me Tony would move up to welterweight. I said, ‘OK, let’s do it.’ It’s amazing.”

Jingliang said he does believe he has “a little bit of an advantage” in the fight. “I don’t think strength is going to be an issue for me to fight Tony Ferguson,” he said. But he’s certainly not about to take Ferguson lightly.

When it comes down to it, the specific opponent doesn’t change his overall approach.

“Whoever is my opponent, I will always try my best in the octagon and fight for the people who support me,” Jingliang said. “… I think if we just do our job, an amazing fight will come by itself.”

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