Ateba Gautier hits back at keyboard warrior critics ahead of UFC 328
Rising UFC star Ateba Gautier is his largest critic, so he is unfazed by any outdoors noise.
The 24-year-old from Cameroon, who’s at present coaching at Manchester Top Team, makes his fifth look for Dana White‘s promotion at UFC 328 this weekend.
Gautier faces American Ozzy Diaz at the highest of the cardboard at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, and is trying to make it 5 UFC wins in a row since rising by White’s Contender Series in 2024.
Gautier shuts down critics
Last trip, ‘The Storm’ did not win a UFC battle inside the space for the primary time, claiming a unanimous determination over Andrey Pulyaev on the undercard of Justin Gaethje vs Paddy Pimblett.
Having been extensively touted for large issues within the UFC, some members of the MMA fraternity have been disenchanted with Gautier’s efficiency, whereas others argued Pulyaev deserved the win.
Gautier has obtained a terrific deal of reward at the beginning of his UFC journey, together with from MMA purists like Joe Roganwhereas additionally being nicknamed the middleweight model of Francis Ngannou.
But for Gautier, who studied physics at college earlier than falling in love with the battle sport, the criticism means completely nothing.
“The biggest pressure I always have is myself,” Gautier instructed talkSPORT.com ahead of UFC 328.
“Why should I care what people think and what people expect from me? When I started, they were not there. So what should I care?
“Something will have an effect on you provided that you let it have an effect on you. Just a phrase.
“Some people will type in things behind the screen. If they can do the same as me, if they can fight, bro, join us.
“Come and battle with us. So for those who do not battle and you then say these sort of issues, after which say issues behind the display screen, say you need to have achieved this, okay, brother, no drawback.
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“Come and do it for me then. Or come and fight me and then you will do it. We’ll see.
“Easy to talk, straightforward to say issues in entrance of the digital camera, in entrance of folks, however in actual life it is completely different. It’s completely different.”
Gautier: I wish to be UFC middleweight champion
An emphatic victory for Gautier will put him in good standing to face a top-ranked middleweight opponent subsequent.
His solely focus is to be topped the king at 185lbs and he is in no rush to get there.
“To be a traditional fighter,” Gautier, who is the youngest fighter on the UFC 328 card, responded when asked about his ultimate goal in the sport.
“As a fighter, as somebody who’s regular, as somebody who desires one thing, I desire a legacy naturally.
Ateba Gautier’s UFC file
Unbeaten
? – Ozzy Diaz at UFC 328 in March 2026
W – Andrey Pulyaev by way of unanimous determination at UFC 324 in January 2026
W – Tre’ston Vines by way of first-round KO at UFC 320 in October 2025
W – Robert Valentin by way of first-round KO at UFC 318 in July 2025
W – Jose Medina by way of first-round KO at UFC Mexico City in March 2025
“I want to accomplish something. I want to be a champion. As a fighter, that’s my goal.
“Not deal with ten divisions, simply deal with my division. Be the champion of my division.
“That’s why I say one fight at a time. Get ready for that moment.”
I concluded: “I want to be active, obviously. Getting more experience.
“That’s what I need. I wish to have extra expertise. I do not wish to rush. I wish to be good. I want extra expertise.
“The last fight was good because I got some experience in the cage.
UFC Schedule
For all of the upcoming fights and outcomes this 12 months, take a look at talkSPORT.com’s UFC schedule.
“I want extra exercise. Just me. Just be increasingly within the cage. So I’ll be used to it extra now.”
UFC 328 is headlined by the champion of Gautier’s division ace Khamzat Chimaev defends the middleweight title towards Sean Strickland.
The co-main occasion sees one other championship bout unfold as Joshua Van takes on Tatsure Taira to resolve the king of the flyweight division.