A veteran of the UFC roster is getting back into the Octagon.
Canadian fighter John Makdessi (17-7) is set to take on Chilean prospect Ignacio Bahamondes (11-3) on Saturday at UFC on ABC 2 in Las Vegas, Nevada, in a lightweight matchup.
Carrying 17 UFC appearances and bouts against some of the division's elite, Makdessi holds a clear advantage in experience compared to Bahamondes, who is making his UFC debut.
The 35-year-old Makdessi believes his wealth of ring knowledge will let him dictate how the bout unfolds.
"He's young and hungry, looking to prove himself. I need to contain him and stop him from imposing his own game plan," Makdessi told MMA Empire.
"My job is to make things uncomfortable for him and stick to my own approach—that's where my experience comes into play. I can't just let him run wild. I'll need to take control."
Makdessi measures 5'8" with a 68-inch reach, putting him at a notable size deficit against Bahamondes, who stands 6'3" with a 75.5-inch reach.
Though Makdessi worked to account for Bahamondes' physical advantages during training camp, he acknowledged he'll likely need to adapt throughout the fight.
"What separates legendary fighters is their capacity to adjust mid-fight," Makdessi explained.
"Think of a football quarterback with a pre-planned strategy—you sometimes have to change the play at the line. On fight night, I absolutely need to be ready to make in-the-moment adjustments."
Makdessi last competed in March 2020 at UFC on ESPN+ 28, where he fell to Francisco Trinaldo by unanimous decision. The bout also cost him a serious knee injury—a torn ACL that required surgical intervention.
Despite feeling he had earned the victory, Makdessi reflected that the outcome highlighted a need for increased aggression moving forward.
"In MMA, this isn't unusual. Judges tend to reward aggressiveness, especially when fighting in an opponent's home territory. You can't sit back defensively there. I was playing counter-striking, but the judges weren't impressed—they prefer fighters who come forward. Hitting and moving is equally a skill, and my defensive rate is among the highest in the UFC. If you check the scorecards, the math doesn't lie. This hasn't been the first time I felt shortchanged," said Makdessi.
"When fighting away from home, I need to press forward more aggressively. But this time we're on neutral ground, so it should be intriguing."
Makdessi will step into the cage for the 18th time in his UFC career, having originally debuted in 2010.
Given the constant roster changes in the UFC, Makdessi considers it a privilege to have competed on the sport's premier stage for so many years—and he isn't finished yet.
"The UFC is a demanding business. It's about performance, professionalism, and discipline," said Makdessi.
"There's a real sense of accomplishment, but I still feel I have plenty left to achieve in my MMA journey. Being part of the UFC has been both a privilege and an honor."
Makdessi's Shoutouts
"I'd like to thank everyone who supports my Bullwear merchandise and Bull Nutrition, The MMA Lab, Javier Torres for the help and support, my manager (Mitch Mayberger), the UFC for giving me another opportunity to fight, and all the fans for the continuous support." Follow Makdessi on social media: FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM
