Louie Sanoudakis is known for taking some tough fights along his path.
It’ll be no different Friday night as Canada’s Sanoudakis (8-2) battles the United States’ Cody Gibson (16-7) in a bantamweight bout at XMMA 2 in Greenville, S.C.
Sanoudakis, despite coming off his first loss since 2016, is on many folks’ radar for a Contender Series or major promotion spotlight. In coming off a loss, a layoff and with eyes on his every move, Sanoudakis isn’t feeling any pressure in this one.
“I’m sure people are putting pressure on me,” Sanoudakis stated in an interview with MMA Empire.
“I don’t feel it, they can do as they want but I don’t feel any of it. I am ready for Gibson, and I won’t chase a finish or highlight reel because of pressure. I chase for the win, nothing else is important. I finish when given the chance, but I don’t chase it.”
Gibson, who is 4-1 since his UFC release, praised the Canadian prospect for accepting the fight that many had turned down.
Sanoudakis, 32, is always willing to throw down with anyone. A UFC veteran or not. he wants the tough fights.
“I’ve fought really tough opponents; a measurement of how good you are isn’t only for those in the UFC,” Sanoudakis said.
“I’ve fought all over the world; he is very good and a skilled opponent. Doesn’t matter whether he’s been in the UFC or not, he is a rugged and challenging opponent. I didn’t take this because of ex-UFC, I took this because it is an opportunity.”
Sanoudakis hasn’t stepped in the cage since Nov. 2019, a unanimous decision loss to Stephen Loman for the Brave CF bantamweight title.
Despite the layoff, Sanoudakis has no concerns of cage rust and is expecting to be in peak form.
“I like fight week, it’s fun,” Sanoudakis said.
“I’m not sure if I’ve had this long a layoff before. Ring rust is real if you believe it. Look at (TJ) Dillashaw, after being off two years, a monster performance. How much thought you put into it, I’m not thinking about it, for either of us.”
As for preparations for Gibson, expectations are all over the place for Sanoudakis as Gibson has not competed since the end of 2018.
“He has grit and loads of experience. I’ll take it as it comes, I don’t know what to expect, I’m just ready for it all,” Sanoudakis said.
“My expectations for him is he will be willing to fight and will have a lot of heart. He could be a completely new fighter since his last fight, I am ready to find out in the cage.”
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