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Daniel Zellhuber is interviewed during the Noche UFC Open Workout at UFC APEX on August 30, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
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Daniel Zellhuber Is Living His Best Life

Ahead Of His Third UFC Bout, Daniel Zellhuber Hopes To Show He Is A Lightweight Prospect Worth Watching At UFC Fight Night: Grasso vs Shevchenko 2

No fighter wants to lose a fight. That said, there’s something to the cliché notion that “there are only wins and lessons” when it comes to combat sports, and the best fighters are the ones that learn those lessons quickly. For Daniel Zellhuber, who suffered his first professional loss in his UFC debut to Trey Ogden, the message was simple: be himself. 

“I don't need to be anybody else,” Zellhuber told UFC.com. “I don't need to go out there and trying to be like, ‘Oh, I'm so tough.’ That doesn't make sense. I'm a happy person, and I'm happy for the opportunity and doing all the interviews. I'm just trying to live my best life. I'm going to be nervous. I'm going to be excited. It's a bunch of different emotions but, most of all, I feel that I'm going to be happy.”

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Zellhuber believes he took a “grown” approach to his first career setback, and he showed as much in his sophomore appearance against all-action veteran Lando Vannata in Kansas City, Missouri. “Golden Boy” looked sharp and composed, outdueling Vannata before taking the unanimous decision nod from the judges. 

Daniel Zellhuber of Mexico punches Lando Vannata in a lightweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at T-Mobile Center on April 15, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC)
Daniel Zellhuber of Mexico punches Lando Vannata in a lightweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at T-Mobile Center on April 15, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC)

“I don't need to be anybody else,” Zellhuber told UFC.com. “I don't need to go out there and trying to be like, ‘Oh, I'm so tough.’ That doesn't make sense. I'm a happy person, and I'm happy for the opportunity and doing all the interviews. I'm just trying to live my best life. I'm going to be nervous. I'm going to be excited. It's a bunch of different emotions but, most of all, I feel that I'm going to be happy.”

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Zellhuber believes he took a “grown” approach to his first career setback, and he showed as much in his sophomore appearance against all-action veteran Lando Vannata in Kansas City, Missouri. “Golden Boy” looked sharp and composed, outdueling Vannata before taking the unanimous decision nod from the judges. 

Daniel Zellhuber punches Lucas Almeida in a lightweight fight during Dana White's Contender Series season five week five at UFC APEX on September 28, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Daniel Zellhuber punches Lucas Almeida in a lightweight fight during Dana White's Contender Series season five week five at UFC APEX on September 28, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

Also giving him confidence is his refined team, which includes coaches specializing in each aspect of mixed martial arts.  

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“I feel that it's hard to put everything together,” he said. “Right now, I have that, and I feel that I really have championship fight game material.”

While Giagos isn’t the most recognizable name to the casual fan, it’s a stiff test in Zellhuber’s third UFC appearance.

Daniel Zellhuber of Mexico kicks Trey Ogden in a lightweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on September 17, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Daniel Zellhuber of Mexico kicks Trey Ogden in a lightweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on September 17, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

“The Spartan” has fought the who’s who at lightweight in two UFC stints that began in September 2018, including former champion Charles Oliveira and hot prospect Arman Tsarykyan. He is also coming off an impressive knockout victory over Ricky Glenn just five months ago.

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Zellhuber is enthusiastic about the challenge, though, especially because he gets to do so with what should be an incredibly friendly crowd in his corner celebrating Mexican Independence Day. He expects to feed off the fans’ energy and deliver something worth the booming cheers.

“I was born to fight for the public,” he said. “I remember my debut fighting in the (UFC APEX). It was kind of sad how you didn't have all this energy going out into the arena. Last time fighting in (Kansas City’s) T-Mobile Center, that was dope fighting in front of 17,000 people. That was crazy. I remember the energy when I started walking out and the people screaming. You can imagine the feeling. It's insane, and I understand that helped me a lot.”

Daniel Zellhuber of Mexico walks out towards the Octagon prior to facing Trey Ogden in a lightweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on September 17, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Daniel Zellhuber of Mexico walks out towards the Octagon prior to facing Trey Ogden in a lightweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on September 17, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

Although this is just his third walk to the Octagon, Zellhuber hopes to gain some major hype from his efforts on September 16. The lightweight division is as difficult a gauntlet as any in the UFC, but he is confident people will start backing him soon. 

All that’s left to do is perform, and Zellhuber already understands the best thing he can do is stay true to himself. The rest takes care of itself. 

“I hope everybody is going to see the potential in me,” Zellhuber said. “I feel that with this win, I'm going to show everybody what level I am.”

UFC Fight Night: Grasso vs Shevchenko 2 took place live from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on September 16, 2023. See the Final Results, Official Scorecards and Who Won Bonuses - and relive the action on UFC Fight Pass