At the UFC fight on ESPN 58 it is said: “The winner stays, the loser goes home”

LAS VEGAS – Adam Fugitt met with the media Thursday before his fight at UFC on ESPN 58.

Fugitt (9-4 MMA, 1-2 UFC) will face Josh Quinlan (6-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC) in a welterweight bout on the ESPN main card at UFC Apex. On the event's media day, Fugitt answered questions from media members before his fight.

Fugitt said his humble demeanor, including the glasses he wore on media day, may have made him seem like a weakling in his formative years – and that allowed him to develop a second “dark character” persona that he brings to fights.

“When you look at me and see the glasses, you don't really see that dark character,” Fugitt said. “That's something that was formed back when I was the often overlooked guy with the punchable face that a lot of people wanted to test in my early years. That's how it evolved — I always had to look over my shoulder, no matter what sport I was in, I was basically the backup player. I had to prove myself, had to overcome adversity. That's how that dark character was formed and I really honed it.”

Fugitt attributed the term “dark character” to UFC broadcast analyst, host and commentator Laura Sanko. Judging by his attitude before the fight with Quinlan, he may want to evoke that darker, more dangerous side of himself on Saturday.

Fugitt believes a loss for him or Quinlan could result in their termination from the UFC. He suffered a submission loss to Mike Malott a year ago. Quinlan has suffered two consecutive setbacks.

“I know he's going to be there from start to finish trying to turn my lights out, and I'm going to be there from start to finish trying to turn him out,” Fugitt said.
We're both in the same boat: we're both ranked No. 1 and No. 2 (in the UFC), which doesn't look good on paper. I've said it in most interviews: I really believe that the winner stays and the loser goes home – the winner gets the next contract. So that's it. Every fight could be your last fight, and that's how I see this one.”

Watch Fugitt’s full media interview in the video above.

For more information on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC on ESPN 58.