Tim Boetsch enters ‘Jacare’ Souza bout on last fight of contract

BROOKLYN, New York — It’s hard enough fighting Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza these days, but try doing it on the last fight of your contract.

That’s exactly what Tim Boetsch (20-10) will be doing Saturday night at UFC 208, Boetsch confirmed with MMA Fighting on Wednesday.

The 36-year-old Boetsch, who enters the fight a 4-to-1 underdog, said he would like to re-sign with the organization following the fight but did not consider doing so beforehand because he believes he’ll have more leverage if he pulls off the upset.

“[His manager] Monte [Cox] was salivating when we got this offer,” Boetsch said.

After losing three straight fights, and six of eight overall, Boetsch enters UFC 208 on a two-fight winning streak.

Boetsch, who debuted with the organization at UFC 81 in Feb. 2008, is currently ranked 13th in the UFC’s middleweight rankings, while Souza is ranked third.