Yahoo Movies Emotional Lucas Alexander opens up about fighting at UFC on ESPN 43 after friend’s death
SAN ANTONIO – Lucas Alexander beat Steven Peterson with a unanimous decision Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC on ESPN 43 at AT&T Center in San Antonio.
Take a look inside the fight with Alexander, who sent Peterson into retirement with the win.
Lucas Alexander vs. Steven Peterson
Mar 25, 2023; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Steven Peterson (red gloves) fights Lucas Alexander (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Meullion-USA TODAY Sports
Result: Lucas Alexander def. Steven Peterson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Updated records: Alexander (8-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) def. Steven Peterson (19-11 MMA, 3-5 UFC)
Key stat: Alexander outstruck Peterson 86-27.
Alexander on the fight's key moment
Mar 25, 2023; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Steven Peterson (red gloves) fights Lucas Alexander (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Meullion-USA TODAY Sports
“It’s funny. I visualized the whole time trying to finish him, and my coach keep telling me the whole camp, ‘Man, he’s going to be there. He’s going to keep coming forward.’ And as soon the fight started and I keep letting my punch go and he keep it coming forward, I started to be like, ‘Oh, I cool. I need to be patient, taking my time.’ And that’s it.”
Alexander on the death of a teammate
Lucas Alexander
“He got an emergency surgery on a Tuesday and Wednesday morning we got the news he passed away. He left three kids – (he was an) amazing person. Left his wife as well. … Monday before I left, he texted me talking about the fight. He had a fight scheduled, as well, and we were talking about the fight. But the whole time we trained together, he always was trying to make me believe in myself. … I could not get the ‘W’ and not shout him out because I know I made him proud today.”
Alexander on the feeling walking out
Mar 25, 2023; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Steven Peterson (red gloves) fights Lucas Alexander (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Meullion-USA TODAY Sports
“You could probably see I was just smiling walking through the lights, seeing the many people who came from Brazil, coming from nothing. Being here fighting for 15,000 people is a blessing.”
To hear more from Alexander, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 43.
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