Brady Hiestand says he’s UFC’s new bantamweight boogeyman – and wants your respect

LAS VEGAS – Brady Hiestand met the media Saturday after his win over Rinya Nakamura at UFC Fight Night 289.

Hiestand (9-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC) submitted Nakamura (10-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) to close out the prelims at the Meta APEX. Hiestand was fighting for the first time in two years, was a 3-1 underdog, and became the first to finish Nakamura.

Afterward, Hiestand lamented the fact he's been an underdog in all his fights and thinks the bantamweight division needs to start paying attention to him now.

Hiestand highlights, UFC Fight Night 289

Hiestand key quotes, UFC Fight Night 289

"(I was a) +300 underdog. That sounds nice. Do you know I've been the favorite one time in my whole UFC career and I'm on a four-fight win streak? Put some respect on my f*cking name, goddammit."

"I'm that guy. I'm the boogeyman of the division. I'm the unsung hero. You're going to have to put some respect on my name. I went out there and I beat this guy at his game. Usually, people try to fight around it. I fought through it, and I think I'm going to be able to do that to anyone in this division. Everyone should be scared because I'm coming for that belt."

"I was eyeing the main event, the winner of (Raul) Rosas and Raoni Barcelos. I need a little bit more clout. Give me one of those guys. I think (Rosas and I are) both good grapplers. I think I've shown I have good striking and I've got unlimited cardio and pace and I think I just break the kid. He's shown that he gets tired later in the fight, and I can go at 100 miles per hour from the get. I think that's an easy fight for me. I think I take it."

Hiestand post-fight interview, UFC Fight Night 289