Jefferson Nascimento received the decision on June sixteenth, and per week later he was contained in the Octagon to make his UFC debut, and on June twenty seventh he’ll face Tahir Abdullaev at UFC Baku, one thing he has dreamed of for years. Nascimento has been very vocal about becoming a member of the UFC and defeating the light-weight veteran for a while now.
Again in April, a month earlier than he defended his LFA light-weight title with a fourth-round knockout, enhancing to 13-0 as a professional and incomes a UFC contract, Nascimento posted on social media a false announcement of a UFC battle in opposition to Chase Hooper, who had simply misplaced to Lance Gibson Jr. by knockout.
He defined that it wasn’t particularly about Hooper, however the truth that fighters like him have been underneath the intense lights of the UFC whereas he was nonetheless working his manner up in Brazil.
“Truly, he misplaced,” Nascimento instructed MMA Combating. i did not perceive. He got here into the UFC at a really younger age and I believed, “Let’s throw this man out into house.” If it occurs, it occurs. I had nothing to lose, so I gave it a attempt. ”
Hooper is scheduled to tackle Mitch Ramirez in Oklahoma Metropolis on July 18 for his 14th look within the Octagon, however Nascimento is lastly getting the prospect to share the cage with Hooper.
“It is simple cash,” Nascimento laughed. “To be sincere, I do not know what he is doing right here, why he is right here and I am not. I stored asking myself that. However that is the truth. He had an opportunity. Nonetheless, that is the battle I needed. Now, I am lastly right here.”
Nascimento was rushed right into a UFC Baku bout in opposition to a fellow promotion rookie, shifting up from his unique weight class to face Abdullaev at welterweight. “Todinho” stated he anticipated he would get referred to as up “any time” because the UFC has a variety of occasions booked in Abu Dhabi, Serbia and Azerbaijan, and that finally occurred.
“I like that ambiance, you already know?” Nascimento stated of enjoying in enemy territory. “I feel that motivates me and offers me that further push. In fact it is nice to battle at residence, close to my household and pals, however after I see the group booing me and proving me improper, it is much more motivating. I am having enjoyable, and it places much more strain on my opponent.”
Nascimento was listed as one of many prime Brazilian fighters to observe in 2024 and felt he was well-prepared for the UFC at that time. Two years and three LFA titles later, Nascimento says, “My sport is completely different now.”
“I am calm and that is the appropriate second for me to shine and have a protracted profession right here,” Nascimento stated.
The RFT expertise will probably be returning to the 155-pound weight class after UFC Baku, however plans to go away the door open for different quick discover alternatives at welterweight after his win over Abdullaev.
“It should be a battle,” Nascimento stated. “He is the sort of man who involves battle, and I am the identical manner. I am by no means going to again down. I am actually pleased for this chance. He might have underestimated me a bit of bit due to his weight class and thinks he is stronger, however I can see my proper hand touchdown on him, and there is a superb likelihood it would finish in a knockout.”
