Daniel Marcos vows to KO Adrian Yanez at UFC on ESPN 63, break into bantamweight rankings

TAMPA, Fla. – Daniel Marcos sees his return at UFC on ESPN 63 as an opportunity to punch his ticket into the UFC official bantamweight rankings.

“Soncora,” an undefeated fighter from Peru, takes on Adrian Yanez – arguably the biggest name he’s ever faced in his career. This key bantamweight bout goes down on the main card of UFC Tampa. Marcos (16-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) recognizes Yanez (17-5 MMA, 6-2 UFC) is a skilled rival, but he expects to put him away in impressive fashion and prove he’s among the elite at 135 pounds.

“He’s a very tough rival,” Marcos told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “Once you get close to the top 15, and you’re in the top 20 of the division, all the opponents are tough. However, I’ve trained so hard spiritually and physically that he has no chance against me.

“I’m very strong. We know he’s a boxer and has good hands, but this is MMA. I can fight standing, on the ground; I have knees, elbows and kicks. I’m very versatile. All I can say is that I’m going to finish him in the second round. I’m ready for the next level. I believe I’m at the next level, and I don’t say that with ego, I just have so much trust in my work.”

Stopping Yanez would maintain Marcos’ undefeated status and put him 4-0 in the UFC. He believes this is more than enough to earn him a spot in the UFC official bantamweight rankings.

“Yes, I’m definitely fighting for a spot in the rankings,” Marcos said. “I think winning this fight, I’m in the rankings. I have four fights in the UFC. I’m an undefeated fighter that’s 16-0, but should be 17-0 because my opponent in February backed out because of a (illegal) hit that wasn’t all that. I consider that as a win. But definitely, you’re talking about someone that’s undefeated, 16-0, four fights in the UFC, this is definitely a great opportunity to enter the top 15 of the division.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 63.