Levi Rodrigues Jr. makes his octagon debut against fellow Brazilian light heavyweight Felipe Franco at UFC Oklahoma City, and believes that it will be the start of a historic career.
“Baby Monster” is undefeated as a professional MMA fighter with five finishes and one no-contest going into his three-round clash with Franco at the Paycom Center, having fought at both light heavyweight and heavyweight previously in his MMA career — plus middleweight bouts in muay Thai and kickboxing. After Alex Pereira came up short in his attempt to win a third belt this past June, losing to Ciryl Gane, Rodrigues Jr. says he will get to do that one day.
“‘Poatan’ was the only one to try it, but still hasn’t managed to win a third title,” Rodrigues Jr. told MMA Fighting. “Ever since I was 12 years old, my dream was to make it to the UFC. Today I have the opportunity to be in the UFC. In my very first interview, I said, in the name of the Lord Jesus, that if God gave me the opportunity, I will win the 205, 185, and heavyweight titles.”
Rodrigues Jr. joins the UFC after a first-round knockout over Freddy Vidal on Dana White’s Contender Series, a fight that was later overturned to no-contest after he failed a drug test for a metabolite of nandrolone. “Baby Monster” said he was given injections after almost being left paralyzed with an injury suffered in a jiu-jitsu match and spending six months in bed. The banned substance, which he claims he was unaware of, remained in his system for his DWCS bout.
After serving the suspension, and still given a contract with the UFC, Rodrigues Jr. fulfills a life-long dream of entering the UFC octagon for the first time.
“It’s been my dream since I was a little kid,” Rodrigues Jr. said. “You can be sure that every one of my fights is going to be a war. No matter who the opponent is, who gets knocked out or who gets submitted, I’ll be there to put on a great show and entertain the fans. The people who are coming to watch deserve a show, they don’t deserve an ugly fight. I want to entertain and give the fans a great show.”
Franco, his UFC Oklahoma City opponent, makes his return to the 205-pound division after losing a short-notice decision against heavyweight prospect Mario Pinto in his promotional debut this past March. The 25-year-old is a teammate of Jailton Almeida, and that’s the type of fight Rodrigues Jr. expects to deal with Saturday.
“I don’t think he’s going to want to stand and trade with me,” Rodrigues Jr. said. “I think he’ll try to take me down. I think he’ll do that ‘Malhadinho’ style and try to put me on the ground, but we’re ready for everything. … I never underestimate my opponents. I’m not the kind of guy who talks trash about other fighters. I believe everyone who’s in the UFC has talent and is trying to build a career and improve their family’s life. I think he’s a very capable fighter, and may the better man win.”
