Houston is different animal ahead of Dalby fight
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Ross Houston insists that he is a totally different proposition for Nicolas Dalby than he showed against Stefano Paterno.
The Hitman captured the Cage Warriors welterweight world championship in October last year after beating Italian fighter Paterno by split decision.
That fight was named Cage Warriors’ fight of the year for 2018, but Houston believes he is a much better fighter than he showed that night.
Houston takes on Danish ex-Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter Dalby in London tomorrow night with his world title on the line.
And he has warned that if Dalby is using the Paterno fight to scout for him, he will be grossly underestimating the Hitman.
“I showed in the Paterno fight that I could take a punch, but I don’t want to get into another fight like that because it was my biggest win, but my worst performance,” Houston explained.
“I had a lot of problems going in to that fight, I didn’t want to say it because I didn’t want to make excuses.
“But with this fight I have absolutely no injuries. You’re going to see a whole different animal. If he’s looking at the Paterno fight and thinking I’m going to fight like that, he’s got another thing coming.
“I’m going to be a hundred times better.”
Dalby is renowned for his striking, with six of his 17 wins coming by stoppage – including his last two.
But Houston is confident that he will be too much for Dalby to handle.
“He’s used to out-working people and having the better cardio, but I’m a better athlete than him and I’m more skilful than him,” Houston insisted.
“He’s used to bullying people in the cage, but I’m going to be the bully.
“I’m going to be pushing him backwards, bigger, stronger and better on fight night. I can do everything better than he can pretty much.”
Dalby has the most decorated record of any fighter that Houston has taken on before, with four fights in the UFC under his belt, winning one and drawing one.
Houston has sparred with UFC fighters Darren Till, Leon Edwards and Carlo Pedersoli in preparation for Dalby.
But even knowing that the Dane is his toughest task yet does not bother Houston, who added: “He’s probably my hardest opponent, but that’s not going to faze me.
“He’s just another man, with two arms, two legs and one head. I’m going to take him out.”
