Alonzo Menifield: Firefight with Iwo Baraniewski at UFC 331 could benefit local families

LOS ANGELES – Alonzo Menifield welcomes a firefight with Iwo Baraniewski at UFC 331 – and if it happens, some local families in need could benefit.

Days out from Saturday's matchup at Crypto.com Arena, Menifield (18-6-1 MMA, 11-6-1 UFC) agreed with his opponent's assessment that the two light heavyweights could put on quite the entertaining scrap. That said, he's going to keep the sloppiness minimal vs. Baraniewski (9-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC).

"If he sees it like that, cool to me," Menifield told MMA Junkie and other reporters Thursday. "I see it the same way. But a brawl? I'm a lot cleaner than the people he's been fighting. I can be, and I know I can be sloppy. This camp, we focused on being clean and staying in the pocket and moving the hips with the punches. It should be a nice fight for me."

Originally from Los Angeles, Menifield admits he hasn't been back to visit much, as he now is a resident of the Dallas area. But that doesn't mean he doesn't care about the region. In fact, Menifield said if all goes well Saturday and he earns a bonus, he plans to help some families in need from the region.

"I haven't been in LA for 15 years," Menifield said. "Everyone on this side is pretty poor. If I can get a bonus, I can probably help some of those people out. I'm looking to put him away and get a bonus. Maybe I can buy a couple families some groceries. I don't know. Let's go."

Standing in his way will be a Polish puncher with a head full of steam and dynamite in his hands. Despite the pedestal that many fight fans place Baraniewski on in terms of potential future contenders, Menifield is keeping himself grounded.

"To me, it's a normal fight," Menifield said. "I don't give a damn about a hype train and whatnot."

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Alonzo Menifield: Firefight with Iwo Baraniewski at UFC 331 could benefit local families