Steven Asplund explains beef with Vitor Petrino at UFC Fight Night 269

LAS VEGAS – Steven Asplund is looking to showcase his skills in a big opportunity against Vitor Petrino at UFC Fight Night 269.

In just his second octagon appearance, Asplund (7-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) draws a ranked foe in Petrino (13-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) on the main card of Saturday's event at Meta APEX (Paramount+), and he intends to seize the moment.

"I'm leaving the dream," Asplund told MMA Junkie at Wednesday's UFC Fight Night 269 media day. "I can't believe a main card came so quick, let alone against a top 15 opponent. So I'm ready. I'm ready to ride. ... I keep saying it's anyone, anywhere, anytime. I don't care. I stand by that."

Asplund, 27, is motivated to make his rise through the heavyweight division, citing an unmatched desire to bring financial security to his family. Petrino is standing in his way, and he has no shortage of motivation to "take his head off."

Petrino is coming off a third-round knockout win over Asplund's teammate Thomas Petersen in October, and there's a strong desire for revenge.

"There's a little bit of bad blood on this one," Asplund said. "As soon as I heard the name Vitor, I'm like, 'F*ck yeah.' Not really bad blood, but there's history. He beat my brother in October, and I feel like Tommy was winning that fight, and I felt like watching Vitor get chinned in that fight. I'll definitely be able to chin this motherf*cker. I'm excited to go out there and do what I do.'"

Asplund isn't all criticism toward his next foe, and said part of his motivation is to show that how a fighter looks stepping into the octagon isn't a decider on who will win.

"He's a monster," Asplund said. "Why is he fighting? He could be a model. This guy looks like 'The Rock.' It's like a battle of the worst physique and the best physique in the heavyweight division. I'm excited to show the fat boys love on Saturday."

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Steven Asplund has 'bad blood' with Vitor Petrino before UFC Vegas 114