Paul Buentello Returns to Stability at UFC 107

Paul Buentello just wants to get in the octagon and take care of business.

The last time Paul Buentello was in the UFC, he TKO’d Gilbert Aldana.

That fight was at UFC 57. Now, almost four years, six fights, and one cancelled bout later, Buentello will return at UFC 107 to the organization that once saw him fight for the heavyweight title.

“I came back to the UFC, the main reason is I know what I’m getting involved in,” Buentello told MMAMadness.com. “I know they take care of their fighters and it’s just the stability. They’re in the business of putting up fights, and I’m in the business of fighting, so I think it’s a good fit.”

The stability Buentello sought may be a direct response to his scheduled August 1 bout against Gilbert Yvel at “Affliction: Trilogy.” Affliction cancelled that bout and ultimately closed shop, leaving Buentello without a fight or a home.

As a result of that cancellation, Buentello has not fought since January. That layoff might prove beneficial, though, in his return to the octagon.

“I come off that training camp supposed to fight in August, and it got cancelled, but i was coming off a great training camp,” Buentello said. “After the show got cancelled… I went home and hired another personal trainer just to work on conditioning and work on strength… I was staying in motion, working on conditioning, staying fit. When I started this training camp, I’m at a whole different level of cardio.”

Buentello is preparing to face Stefan Struve, the 22-year-old Dutch fighter who already has 21 professional fights to his name. And while Buentello has eight years and of a dozen more fights of experience than Struve, he thinks that he might be the more nervous fighter come Saturday.

“I’m coming back to the UFC, it’s a different crowd, it’s a different deal, so I wouldn’t be surprised if I have more of the jitters than he does,” Buentello said. He’s already been in there three times already.”

Stuve also poses a unique problem. At 6′11″, there is a nine inch height difference between Struve and the shorter Buentello.

“His size is going to help him on the ground no matter what,” Buentello said. “He’s so long and it’s just hard to deal with guys that are that long on the ground… It’s difficult in the aspect of trying to hit him. If they have a good jab and a good reach… it’s hard to hit them no matter how you look at it.”

In order to neutralize that reach advantage, Buentello plans to use a tool not always associated with heavyweights; speed.

“To counteract that I have to get faster on my feet,” Buentello said.” My speed is going to help me on the inside in the standup… I have to be quick and make good movements.”

Buentello also knows that he might not live up to one of his reputations in this bout. He earned the nickname the “Headhunter” for his affinity for kicking opponents in the head. Against that height difference, Buentello might have to employ a different strategy.

“I probably can’t [kick him in the head] so I’m probably going to change my name to the ‘Bodysnatcher,’” Buentello said. “It’s going to be hard to fulfill my nickname… when I’m fighting a guy that’s nine inches taller than me.”

Regardless of which nickname Buentello lives up to, his real plan is just to, “give it hell.” If he succeeds, Buentello could be thrust into the heavyweight title hunt, and will take one step back to a championship bout.