After profitable 15 of his final 17 skilled bouts, Carlos
Leal Miranda will lastly obtain his purpose of preventing within the
Final Preventing Championship.
The Brazilian will step up on brief discover to face Rinat
Fakhretdinov at UFC 308
on Saturday in Abu Dhabi. What makes the scenario extra fascinating
is how somebody who hadn’t fought within the UFC and lives in Curitiba,
Brazil, was capable of settle for such a name from the promotion on the
week of the struggle. The inspiration for the transfer was laid in August
2023.
After dropping to Sadibou Sy
through resolution in a second consecutive
Skilled Fighters League semifinal, Leal determined that it
was time to go away PFL and attempt to obtain his purpose of preventing in
UFC.
“After I entered the PFL my purpose was to be a champion. Within the first
season I received actually shut and determined to strive as soon as once more. After I
misplaced the second time, me and my staff determined it was time to go away,”
Leal stated.
Whereas issues didn’t work out as deliberate within the PFL, “The Lion”
acknowledges that the group was vital for his progress.
“PFL was an amazing [learning experience] for me,” he stated. “Due to
that promotion, I may give a greater life to my household and even
purchase a home for my mom. PFL additionally helped me to evolve as a person
and fighter. So I simply have gratitude to them.”
Leal and his supervisor then devised a plan that may get him nearer
to his dream of creating it to the UFC.
UFC 308:
Topuria vs. Holloway Saturday at 2 PM ET on ESPN+. Order
Now!
“We knew that one of the best ways to achieve UFC was to get the
LFA title,” Leal stated.
Earlier than stepping into LFA his staff determined to just accept an invite to
struggle at UAE Warriors 48, the place Leal knocked out
Marcio Breno Rodrigues Braga within the first spherical. 4 months
later, Leal lastly made his LFA debut, knocking out Manuel Mena
within the first spherical on his first step to get an LFA title shot.
Twelve weeks in the past, his supervisor discovered that UFC 308 would take
place in Abu Dhabi on the identical week of UAE Warriors 55.
“He put me on that card with a transparent technique,” Leal stated.”If some
welterweight or middleweight fighter had some drawback at UFC 308, I
can be already right here. However even when nobody withdraws from the cardboard,
it will be an amazing alternative to carry out for UFC individuals and have
an opportunity to get my contract.”
When the primary a part of the plan labored out, Leal wanted a bit
assist to make his dream a actuality.
“UAE Warriors stated they might enable me to struggle in UFC if we received a
alternative for me and my coach, Rodrigo
Cavalheiro Correia, stepped in instantly and agreed to a
catchweight struggle on Tuesday in opposition to my former opponent.
Cavalheiro, who’s 41 years outdated, defeated Erkin
Darmenov through first-round knockout at UAE Warriors 55 on
Tuesday.
In the meantime, Leal is getting ready to face Fakhretdinov on brief discover.
Although it’s first time going through an opponent from Russia in 26
skilled outings, Leal shouldn’t be frightened.
“There have been many prime Russians in my division, so I’ve been learning
them for a very long time,” he stated. “I’m actually completely satisfied to have the ability to
lastly obtain my dream of preventing within the UFC going through a tricky
opponent like Rinat. I’ve little question will probably be a hell of a struggle.
There couldn’t be a greater method to obtain my purpose.”
