8-1 favorite Tyson Pedro wants to make up for lost time at UFC 278

SALT LAKE CITY – After more than three years away, Tyson Pedro returned earlier this year to a big finish. Now he wants to make up for lost time.

After he started his pro career 6-0, including his first two in the UFC, Australia’s Pedro had a rough patch of three losses in four fights. After the second of back-to-back stoppage setbacks, he found himself on the shelf from December 2018 all the way until his return in April, when he stopped Ike Villanueva with a first-round TKO.

Pedro said the return was the goal, even more so than getting his hand raised.

“The win wasn’t as important as just getting back in the octagon at that point,” Pedro said at Wednesday’s UFC 278 media day in Salt Lake City. “It was just about proving to everyone that doubted me and proving to myself that I was supposed to be in there. It was a flood of emotions afterward – too much for one moment. I don’t recommend it. But it was just fun to be back. I love it.

“I’m actually more excited for this fight because everything I envisioned for those four years was with a crowd. That was the only thing that didn’t go as planned. This one, I’m super excited to be here.”

Saturday, Pedro (8-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC) takes on Harry Hunsucker (7-5 MMA, 0-2 UFC) in a light heavyweight bout to open the main card on pay-per-view at Vivint Arena. He’s the heaviest favorite on the card by far, checking in at -800 at Tipico Sportsbook.

But because of the long layoff before his big return earlier this year, he wants to get one more in before 2022 draws to a close.

“Daddy’s got to get paid. The goal is wrap this one up and do it again. I don’t know if there’s another fight before Christmas. (Because of) inflation, I’ve got to get that money.”

Check out Pedro’s full media day interview in the video above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 278.