Long before Tyrell Fortune found himself rising to the top of the UFC heavyweight rankings, he had already made a name for himself in the sport of wrestling. A two-time NCAA champion at the high school level, NCAA Division II national champion, Wrestler of the Year, Team USA representative and later assistant wrestling student at Grand Canyon University, Fortune spent years pursuing success in a sport that offered fame but little financial security.Mixed martial arts came later. So did Bellator, the PFL and eventually the UFC.Ahead of his second UFC bout against Rizvan Kuniev at UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi, Fortune believes the foundation he’s built over the years will still give him an edge over anyone who crosses the cage.“I think I can always take advantage of anyone in my fight,” Fortune told TimesofIndia.com ahead of his UFC Fight Night bout. “Wrestling is where I started and it is my best skill. But I think I’m stronger, faster, and better than he is at any position. “Fortune has previously admitted that the decision to enter the sport of mixed martial arts was driven by something like ambition. Financial opportunities did not exist in wrestling.Bellator signed him while still fighting internationally, and by 2016 he had fully committed himself to MMA, beginning a career that would take him to Bellator and the PFL before receiving a UFC contract.His arrival in the UFC was very different from the positive events.Fortune received an offer on just 12 days notice against Marcin Tybura in March this year. He won, although the night was briefly overshadowed by a rare mistake from UFC’s famous announcer Bruce Buffer, who incorrectly announced Tybura the winner in the first place. But his results left him in no doubt that he was one of the richest people in the game.“It told me that I could face the challenges and do well in the 12 days that I had to prepare for the start of the UFC.“It gave me confidence and made sure I was in the right place and that I could hang out with these guys.”This time, the preparations have been very different. Instead of rushing to the camp, Fortune has enjoyed a full build-up, which he believes has made a huge difference.“I feel ready and prepared. I had a good training camp, and having already been in the UFC, I made sure to stay in shape and continue to train well. I feel like I put a lot of work into this camp, so I feel very prepared.“I’d say I’m still in good shape, I’m just focusing on my cardio, pushing my cardio. That’s for real. I just focused on myself to be ready and ready for whatever happens.”Standing opposite him will be Kuniev, a wealthy senior who enjoys good fortune in height and reach on paper. The burly Russian is 1-1 in the UFC, and according to Fortune he will be looking to prove himself in the division. But Fortune was not discouraged by the situation.“There’s no problem. I don’t think there’s any problem with that. A lot of guys are at least an inch or two taller than me because I’m about 6’2″ or 6’3″. So I like guys to be at least an inch or two taller than me. One of my biggest training partners is 6’7″, so I like to do it with height.”He also does not believe that there is a certain place where his enemy holds his hand. When asked where Kuniev is most vulnerable if this fight happens according to Fortune, his answer was simple.“Everywhere. I’m better than him everywhere.”Confidence doesn’t matter. Fortune also built strength before receiving his UFC opportunity, stringing together back-to-back wins after his PFL debut and carrying his form into the Octagon. A victory for Kuniev, who is currently one place above him in the rankings, would move him one step closer to his biggest rivals.“I’m number nine right now, and he’s number eight. So I think it moves me up one place in the rankings. My next opportunity, I think, will be higher. As long as I keep moving up and getting to the belt, that’s what I want.”For all the events that have marked his career – from world titles to Bellator main events and now the UFC – Fortune insists little has changed the way he approaches competition.“Nothing. Nothing changes. Same job, same job, same goals always. Just go there, dominate, win the war, and keep moving forward.”(Watch UFC Fight Night – Ankalaev vs Rountree Jr. on July 25, starting at 9:30 PM IST live on Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD and Sony LIV.)