Spain's Daniel Barez hopes to make return at UFC Paris: 'Would be the sh*t because it's close to home'

It’s been too long for Daniel Barez, and he can’t wait to step into the octagon once again.

The Spanish standout hasn’t been able to follow up on his UFC debut due to injuries and personal matters, but now these hurdles are in his past, and Barez (16-6 MMA, 0-1 UFC) is hoping to get booked for the UFC Fight Night event in Paris, France on Sept 28.

“I’m hopeful it happens, fighting in France would be the sh*t because it’s close to home,” Barez told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “I know it’s still a far trip because I prepare in Tijuana, but I can fight and then take a short flight home to be with my family.

“I would also be down to fight in Las Vegas because it’s the same hour as Tijuana, so I won’t have to deal with jet lag, but wherever they put me, I’ll be ready to give it my all.”

Barez was on a four-fight winning streak before getting the call to fight Jafel Filho on short notice at the UFC Fight Night event in London last July. Unfortunately for him, he lost the fight by first-round submission.

Although a defeat in his debut, inactive for almost a year, and now 35 years of age, Barez is in no way discouraged to make a name for himself in the UFC. He believes the climb to the top of the flyweight division is a difficult one, but also a short one.

“It was a surprise seeing (Steve Erceg) get a title fight with just three fights in the company, but he’s also from Australia – which has a big MMA fan base,” Barez said. “Regardless, he beat people in the rankings and earned his opportunity.

“I’m not here to waste time. My plan is to win my next fight, and I’m in no position to call anyone out because I’m coming off a loss even though it was short notice, and then I want to climb the ladder as quick as possible. I want to fight people ahead of me.”