Carlston Harris has an opponent changed at the last minute in the UFC, but he guarantees that he is “ready for any challenge”

One year after his last appearance in the UFC, Guyanese Carlston “Mozambique” Harris is back in the most famous octagon in the world. This Saturday (11), the athlete from Renovação Fight Team (RFT) goes into action at UFC Fight Night 221, which takes place in Las Vegas, in search of his third victory in the organization. Initially he would face Russian Abubakar Nurmagomedov, who left the card last Thursday. The UFC acted quickly and, to replace the Russian, summoned the American Jared Gooden. Despite the last minute change, Carlston Harris assures that he is prepared to face the new opponent.

Carlston Harris will now face American Jared Gooden (photo: personal archive)

“My opponent was changed a few times during my camp until I decided that it would be Abubakar Nurmagomedov. On Thursday, when I was already in Las Vegas, I learned that Abubakar had left the card due to illness. I trained to face several types of opponents, left-handed, right-handed, tall, short, wrestler, so I adapted my training according to the announced opponent. But I didn’t have much to choose from. I haven’t fought for a year. my daughter was born and I also had to divide myself between training and supporting my wife. But we don’t choose an opponent. Whoever comes, I’ll be ready to face. Jared Gooden is another opponent, and I’ll try to put the my training in practice to come out with the victory of this fight”, said Harris.

At the age of 35, Carlston Harris boasts a record of 22 MMA fights, with 17 wins, five of them by knockout and five by submission, and only five defeats. After a promising start with two quick wins, Mozambique was defeated by Kazakh Shavkat Rakhmonov in his last appearance. Already the American Jared Gooden has a record of 22 wins, 11 by knockout, and eight losses. Gooden had a passage through the UFC between 2020 and 2021, where he lost three fights and won only one. Since then he has won four fights and lost only one at minor events. Despite the last minute opponent change, Carlston Harris has already studied his opponent and downplayed Gooden’s experience.

“He has a cartel with almost 30 fights, but you also have to see who were the opponents he faced, right? He may have a cartel with 100 fights, but if he faced two or three fights face to face, it doesn’t mean much. His record doesn’t intimidate me. I’ve studied his game and I know Gooden is a boxer. He plays low guard, but defends well, has good leg and head movement and has a heavy hand. But I’m prepared for whatever comes next . I consider myself better than him in all areas. I have the complete package. In the fight you often go in with a strategy and it changes as the fight unfolds. Wherever the fight unfolds, I will be prepared. I trust my ability , my team and the training I did. I’m ready for any challenge. I’m going in to win, I’m going to rip his head off. My daughter was born and I’m more motivated than ever”, he concluded.