By Mike Bohn, MMA Junkie,

7 hours ago

Tofiq Musaev enters his UFC on ABC 8 debut with a more decorated resume than most newcomers, but he knows stepping into the octagon is something unto itself.

Musayev (22-5 MMA, 0-0 UFC), who won the 2019 Rizin FF lightweight grand prix and has beaten the likes of Patricky Freire, Johnny Case and Sidney Outlaw, will test himself against the 155-pound roster in the UFC starting with Saturday's matchup against Myktybek Orolbai (13-2-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) at Baku Crystal Hall in Azerbaijan (ABC, ESPN, ESPN+).

"It's a dream of all fighters to be fighting in the UFC," Musayev said through an interpreter at Wednesday's UFC on ABC 8 media day. "It's a different level of course. I feel very lucky that I'm ere. I have fought in different organizations but this is a unique one. I have prepared well and I am going to represent my country with pride. I have prepared specifically for my opponent."

Although Musayev has proven himself to be high level, there's speculation about whether, at 35, he's coming into the shark tank of the UFC's lightweight division too late to rise to the top.

Only time will tell, but he intends to give it his best shot.

"Age is just a number for me," Musayev said. "If anyone thinks otherwise, they shouldn't even be competing in the UFC."

"I'm focused on my opponent and later on I will focus on the next steps. This fight will determine what the next fights will be."

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Tofiq Musayev ready for 'different level' in UFC on ABC 8 debut