Bryan Battle: Two months leading into UFC 310 have 'really been like a whirlwind'

LAS VEGAS – Bryan Battle finds himself in a good place heading into UFC 310, a place he loves at this point in his career. All it took was a finish and a killer promo to get here.

Battle (12-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) meets Randy Brown (19-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC) on the prelims of Saturday’s event at T-Mobile Arena (pay-per-view, ESPN2, ESPN+). Unbeaten in his past four, including a no contest, Battle is coming off a second-round TKO of Kevin Jousset this past September at UFC Fight Night 243. It was an impressive finish, but what really put the performance over was Battle’s octagon interview in which he riled up the French fans in Paris.

That moment, it seems, has changed the trajectory of “The Ultimate Fighter 29” winner’s career. You know what he’s saying?

“It’s really been like a whirlwind,” Battle said Wednesday at UFC 310 media day. “It’s been nonstop. It’s been a blessing. It’s like everything I’ve worked for really coming to fruition. It’s been really cool. Fans have been amazing. The memes and Instagram reels have been crazy. There’s a new one every other day. It’s been a lot of fun. …

“It was always inevitable. I always felt like I would get to where I’m at, you know what I’m saying? It was just a matter of when, not if, you know what I’m saying?”

Battle considers Brown “a great opponent” and his biggest opportunity. It’s a relatively short turnaround for Battle, but he’s relishing the moment.

“I feel amazing. I feel incredibly sharp,” Battle said. “There’s definitely some aches and pains from the previous fight, but everything’s coming together at the right time perfectly.”