Jerry Lleshi has simple evaluation of opponent Jacob Romano: 'I feel like I'm just the better fighter'

Former NextGen champ enters Friday's CFFC 134 in Atlantic City seeking third straight victory.

Former CFFC NextGen champ Jerry Lleshi opened his professional run with a disappointing split-decision loss to fellow top prospect Bilal Hasan, but since then, it's been nothing but victories for the Dante Rivera-trained flyweight.

On Friday night, he'll look to make it three in a row, and he truly believes it will be his best performance yet.

"You can expect to see me going out there being the best version of myself," Lleshi said. "I'm just going to show everybody what I already know I can do. I'm just looking forward to it. 

"You know, it's been a hard camp. Ten weeks. I'm just ready to go out there."

Lleshi (2-1) fought most recently in December, scoring a decision win over Mardin Velasquez at CFFC 128. He now returns to action at Friday's CFFC 134, where he takes on Ray Thompson protege Jacob Romano (5-2) in a bout that streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS from New Jersey's Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.

It's the most experienced opponent Lleshi has faced to date in his career, but he's confident in his chances.

"He's all right," Lleshi said of his opponent. "He's like a karate-wrestler. He's bouncy, in and out. He's decent, but you know, I just don't think he's going to have anything for me. 

"I don't know. I feel like I'm just the better fighter in striking, wrestling, jiu-jitsu. I feel like I'm just better than him in every aspect of the game."

In addition to his perceived advantages stylistically, it's also a home game for Lleshi, a New Jersey native, adding to his comfort level. It's Lleshi's seventh appearance for CFFC in his combined professional and amateur careers, including two previous appearances on the historic Atlantic City Boardwalk.

"I'm really excited, man," Lleshi said. "I love fighting at the Hard Rock. It's a sick atmosphere over there. Plus, I feel like I've gotten a lot better since my last fight. I've been training every day. That's kind of my life, so I'm excited. I'm excited to show what I've got."

After that initial setback against Hasan – a fighter who was one of five athletes included in CFFC's debut of "The Short List" of athletes deemed most ready for a UFC contract – Lleshi has been flawless. A victory on Friday would make it three in a row, and at just 24 years old, Lleshi believes he's ready to start making a run to the top of the sport.

"This is my time right now," Lleshi said. "I'm 2-1 right now. After this fight, I'll be 3-1, so I'll put myself in a good spot after this one, and then just keep it going from there."

With a late shuffle of the CFFC 134 lineup following the loss of the originally scheduled main event, Lleshi finds himself in the highest slot on a card that he's experienced yet in his career. He realizes the opportunity that's at stake, and he's anxious to take the spotlight in front of a friendly crowd.  

"Thank you guys for just coming out there to support me," Lleshi said. "It means a lot. I need a lot of supporters in this fight game. It's good to have supporters, so having people behind me, it feels amazing.

"If I have more people with me, it's like I'm going out there with all you guys rather than just going out there myself, you know? So, thank you guys for coming out, and I'm ready to just show out for everybody."