Ateba Gautier is set for a comeback this month, and an Oktagon MMA dual-category titleholder, a regular sparring partner of the ascending UFC middleweight, has offered his perspective on the upcoming match.
Gautier is scheduled to face Andrey Pulyaev at UFC 324 on January 24th, and Will Fleury has provided his insights into the middleweight contest. Fleury himself aims to capture titles in three divisions, already holding light heavyweight and heavyweight championships within Oktagon MMA. Discussing his wider objectives for championship gold at 185 pounds and noting his training sessions with the UFC middleweight contender, Fleury commented [as reported by Bowks Talking Bouts],
“Indeed, I trained with Ateba Gautier just a few weeks prior in Manchester, where Ateba was 104 kilograms and I was 106. He’s slated to compete at middleweight by the close of January. Personally, I wouldn’t contemplate transitioning to middleweight so rapidly. However, it demonstrates to me that with dedication and effort, such a feat is certainly achievable. Nevertheless, as you mentioned, my primary objective at this moment is defeating Martin Buday on December 28th.”
Will Fleury Predicts Ateba Gautier Will “Dominate Decisively”
Fleury successfully defeated the former Oktagon MMA champion and ex-UFC fighter, Martin Buday, who held a positive octagon record, thereby concluding 2025 on a high note. Shifting his attention to his training partner Gautier’s prospects in the upcoming UFC 324 encounter, Fleury conveyed [in an interview with Bowks Talking Bouts],
“Yes, I observed some of his opponent’s footage, primarily because we trained extensively together that week, and the opponent tends to hold his head quite high. Ateba, he remarked, is truly exceptional. Given his relatively short tenure in the sport, he’s an incredibly astute competitor. For instance, by your second sparring session with him, you’ll find he’s already picked up on patterns from the first. He’s indeed a perceptive and intelligent individual.”
“It’s exceedingly challenging to completely deceive him, particularly for someone relatively new to professional fighting. I genuinely believe he’s poised for an overwhelming performance. My sense is he’ll secure a first-round knockout against his opponent. Beyond this fight, considering his remarkable physique and the depth of planning and strategy he employs, his potential is immense.”
“Moreover, with Carl Prince guiding him as a coach, there are no bounds to what that individual can achieve. I honestly envision him clinching a championship title within the coming two or three years. His ascent hinges on the specific trajectory he follows. However, given the appropriate opportunities, precise timing, and suitable matchups, he could readily become a champion in that timeframe.”
