Danny “Hot Chocolate” Roberts is one of the UK’s brightest and most dangerous fighters to be on the UFC roster. With a huge following behind him thanks to his time on the local circuits that included an unbeaten, run in Cage Warriors that saw him finish 4 of his 5 opponents. Big things were expected from Roberts upon signing with the UFC and he has delivered on those expectations with a submission win over Nathan Coy last December and most recently a unanimous decision win over Dominique Steele at UFC 197.
All the hard work has seemingly payed off as “Hot Chocolate” received the nod to be on the biggest European card of the year, UFC 204. Roberts (13-1) is set to take on Mike Perry who had a devastating UFC debut earlier this month. Undefeated through eight fights, Perry won his first Octagon appearance in the first round with a TKO win over Hyun Gyu Lim at UFC 202. The performance caught the attention of promotional officials and Perry vs. Roberts was announced soon thereafter.
Perry was quick to take to his twitter account to make things interesting between them. What followed was short back-and-forth that is sure to add some fire to the fight.
@PlatinumPerry 😂 funny boy!!! Im international my man thats all.😉 Marshmallow…Your more of a mushroom! ill see you October 9th! #UFC204
— Danny Roberts #HC (@DanHotChocolate) August 30, 2016
The fire has been lit and Roberts is ready to come home and put on the single greatest performance of his life.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Roberts told MiddleEasy. “For me it’s gonna be very special. I’ve made a lot of sacrifices and it’s now time to come and put on a showcase for the UK fans. It will be my show of appreciation to the fans at home who have supported me even while I have been away. Going 3-0 in the UFC in front of my friends and family will be a milestone and it will solidify my work and make all this sacrifice worth it. I came out to here (Miami) 4 weeks prior to UFC 204 being announced. It was perfect timing, deep down I knew I was gonna be on the card– everyone wants a little bit of Hot Chocolate”
While Roberts was impressed with Perry’s debut he was however not impressed with him as mixed martial artist and promises to make him pay for his weaknesses inside the cage.
“His debut was ok,” Roberts said. “Every fan likes to see someone go to sleep but he has a million and one holes. He’s one dynamic, he has power but that’s it. I live in deep water so we will see how he fares. I have a lot of ways to win this fight, he doesn’t.”
“I am going to exploit him until it’s the right time to take him off the face of the planet. He will stay on his feet until I put him to sleep. I’m fighting at home and he’s got another thing coming if he thinks he’s going to take me out in front of my crowd.”
Everybody wanna ball but you gotta go when them killers call @DanHotChocolate @VicenteLuqueMMA @ufc #blackzilians pic.twitter.com/w8tIUz2W6y
— Blackzilians (@blackzilians) August 18, 2016
rain [+ reign] w pain 👑💀 #UFC204 | @DanHotChocolate vs Mike Perry on Oct 8 in Manchester@UFCEurope #HotChocolateUFC pic.twitter.com/9FayhpgvXG
— Blackzilians (@blackzilians) August 26, 2016