Undefeated MMA fighter Dorobshokh Nabotov used the UFC 308 press convention in Abu Dhabi this previous October to ask Dana White for a chance to show his talent within the octagon. Ultimately, it was Matheus Camilo who stole the present and earned a contract with the promotion.
As an alternative of getting Nabotov a shot at Dana White’s Contender Collection, the top of the UFC secured him a match at Z Battle Evening in South Korea, a promotion based by former UFC title challenger “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung. White watched from house alongside Matt Serra and Din Thomas, and noticed Camilo dominate with slick calf kicks and submission makes an attempt to emerge victorious by way of determination in December.
“Hear, this occurs so much,” White mentioned on an episode of Lookin’ For A Fight. “You get your alternative to have your second, the place the world will get to see you, all this hype round him as a result of he was on the press convention and all people reported on it, and Matheus was the man that got here in and completely stole his second from him.”
Camilo is now 9-2 as an expert fighter. He makes his first stroll contained in the UFC APEX when he faces Gabe Green this Saturday at UFC Vegas 106.
“It was a present constructed for the man, the media round him with the hype,” Camilo instructed MMA Combating. “It was an enormous alternative for me. I used to be watching when he requested Dana [at the press conference] and by no means imagined I might combat him. I used to be coaching in Vegas after they referred to as me to combat, and I mentioned completely sure. It was a chance to alter my life.”
Camilo received the choice and admits he thought not getting a end would imply no contract with the UFC, however the White vlog confirmed how the UFC CEO was enthusiastic about his efficiency. At one level, as a consequence of Nabotov’s lack of offense, it felt like White was rooting for the 24-year-old Brazilian.
“Matheus, you regarded unbelievable,” White instructed Camilo by way of video convention after the combat. “You had been undoubtedly extra well-rounded. You began chopping that leg in he first spherical, broken it, and just about, in our opinion, managed the combat the remainder of the night time.
“As younger as you might be, 23 years outdated [at the time], you actually impressed us tonight. Congratulations child, you’re getting within the UFC. You flew over there to Korea, this man was the A-side of this factor, all of the hype behind him, and also you took the chance and made probably the most of it. And also you regarded f*cking nice tonight, so congratulations.”
“I used to be very emotional,” Camilo mentioned. “I used to be a bit apprehensive [White wouldn’t sign me] as a result of the combat didn’t go as I wished. I by no means imagined he would attempt to maintain me down all the time. I wished a struggle, an absolute banger, but it surely turned out completely different. However I used to be in a position to damage him and was stunned when Dana mentioned I used to be getting signed.”
Camilo flew again to Las Vegas, the place he lives and trains, and waited for a name to make his octagon debut. The Inexperienced combat comes nearly precisely 5 years after the dying of his father, one among his principal supporters from day one.
“My dad was all the time very strict with me,” Camilo mentioned. “At first he mentioned I might solely be capable of go away Acre to coach at Nova Uniao after I completed highschool, after which there was no turning again. It was all good at first, I used to be very glad, but it surely all modified when the [COVID-19] pandemic hit. That’s when my father acquired sick and we misplaced him. He was my largest supporter. He was there for me. When he handed away, that’s when my actual combat started, if that’s what I actually wished, if I used to be keen to be away from my household this complete time. That’s when the desert started, and I’m nonetheless right here.”
Camilo thought-about quitting the game, however his mom refused to let him quit. She despatched him again to Rio de Janeiro to coach along with his idol Jose Aldo, and he later moved to Las Vegas on the lookout for greater alternatives. Camilo’s father handed away on Could 15, 2020, and he’s now in his first official week as a UFC fighter.
“I get flashbacks from 5 years in the past, once I was crying and misplaced,” Camilo mentioned, “And now I’m right here to make my UFC debut, which was a dream for him, a dream for me. I’m very grateful for this second.”
Inexperienced, Camilo’s first octagon opponent, is 2-3 within the firm with losses to Ian Machado Garry, Bryan Battle and Daniel Rodriguez. Provided that high-level expertise, Camilo doesn’t anticipate a straightforward night time within the cage.
“I do know I’ll solely have powerful fights within the UFC, it’s going to all the time be a problem,” Camilo mentioned. “I’m prepared for this. That is what I’ve all the time wished, so I wanna benefit from this second. He’s a troublesome fighter, transferring down from welterweight, and has some expertise within the UFC, so I really feel honored to be sharing the cage with this man. It’s going to be a enjoyable combat as a result of he’s the kind of fighter that all the time walks ahead and likes to brawl, similar to me. And I’m going there to complete this combat, brother. I’m very hungry.”
