RodolfoVieira is also one in all many largest Brazilian jiu-jitsupractitioners ever to cross over to blended martial arts, nevertheless hedoesn’t let these expectations define his technique to stopping.
Ahead of his matchup with CodyBrundage at UFC Battle Night time time 223 on Saturdayin Las Vegas, “The Black Belt Hunter” spoke to Sherdog regarding themethods via which his Last Combating Championship run has fallenwanting what he hoped. Higher than any specific loss, Vieiraprofesses disappointment that he has solely 5 fights inside the 4and a half years since turning into a member of the promotion in 2019.
“I can’t even complain about my career,” he talked about. “I obtained right here into theUFC very early. I obtained right here in after solely two years or so of teaching. Ihad good fights – three wins by submission. Nonetheless I moreover had twolosses. Nonetheless presently I’m far more assured, mature, and expert.I would like I might need fought further usually, nevertheless accidents and completely different lifeissues saved me away. Unquestionably, I would like I might need beenextra full of life. I didn’t want to have merely 5 fights all through my timewithin the UFC. Nonetheless God didn’t allow for that. I perception in His plans.I’m scheduled to fight as soon as extra. I’m happy and correctly. That’s whatissues. I’m in a position to get once more to worthwhile.”
Vieira’s sporadic fight schedule would possibly want represented a severehardship for his family, if not for the $50,000 “Effectivity of theNight time” bonus he netted for his highlight-reel submission ofDustinStoltzfus at UFC on ESPN 26 in July of 2021. “With nonedoubt, that bonus saved my and my family’s lives,” he admitted.“After that, I didn’t get to fight for virtually one 12 months. It wasonerous. Combating is my solely provide of income. On the same time, wedwell a fairly easy life, with none waste. That was our luck. Nonetheless,indisputably, the bonus saved us. It saved us correctly, all through ainterval as soon as I used to be solely teaching and spending.”
Vieira sounds relieved to be once more in movement this weekend, andexcited to face Brundage, an opponent for whom he professes hisrespect. That respect extends to Brundage’s flooring recreation; whereasVieira is an world-class submission artist, he understands that thebaseline stage of grappling potential in MMA is extreme enough that thereare not any gimmes. “Cody could possibly be very highly effective,” he talked about. “He’s dangerous. Irespect him. He has a wrestling background and heavy arms. He hasa nice jab. Throughout the UFC, there are usually not any simple matchups. Anyone you faceis good in all places. I’m ready. And just because he has not at all beensubmitted, it doesn’t suggest I’ll solely seek for that. My jiu-jitsu issharp, and my placing is considerably higher than closing time spherical. Myessential intention is to get a finish sooner than the last word buzzer. I do comprehend it’sgoing to be a difficult fight. I’ll be ready for that.”
An identical as for all of his Octagon bouts, Vieira’s preparation for “UFCVegas 72” took place at his longtime base of operations in SouthFlorida. “I did my camp at Fusion X-Cel in Orlando. I’ve been proper herefor 4 and a half years. I’ve three coaches. My MMA coach isJulien Williams. He’s the proprietor. Mano Santana handles my placing –boxing and karate. After which there’s SalencoCoutinho. He joined the group to be my jiu-jitsu coach. I hadbeen and never utilizing a coach since I migrated to MMA. He’s made an enormousdistinction in my recreation. My jiu-jitsu is considerably higher. It’s giving mea number of confidence. I’ve a superb group, thankfully, collectively withnice sparring companions.”