Vitor Petrino is prepared get again on the horse after essentially the most irritating night time of his MMA profession.
The Brazilian expertise was a large favourite going into his UFC 301 conflict with veteran Anthony Smith this previous Might in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, however noticed his four-fight UFC profitable streak snap in fast trend after tapping to a guillotine choke two minutes into the primary spherical.
Seven months later, Petrino returns to the cage to face gentle heavyweight Dustin Jacoby at UFC Tampa, which fits down Saturday night time in Florida.
“It was very unlucky,” Petrino mentioned in an interview with MMA Preventing. “I made a mistake within the takedown try, however we’ve already mounted all the things within the gymnasium. Approach-wise, post-fight nervousness, all the things. I feel all of it occurred the best way it was presupposed to occur. Every thing occurs for a motive.
“However nothing has modified, we proceed to work tirelessly within the gymnasium, all the time motivated, all the time prepared. That Anthony Smith battle was a foul day at work, however it occurs. We’ll concentrate on our subsequent purpose now, which is Dustin Jacoby. I’m going for it to point out all people our full potential.”
Many athletes point out some type of reduction after shedding for the primary time in MMA, because it takes “weight” over their shoulders for being undefeated for therefore lengthy. That’s not the case for Petrino, although.
“Shedding sucks,” Petrino laughed. “I’ve by no means had that strain of being undefeated. I’ve all the time liked what I do, which is prepare and battle. Let’s transfer on now. There’s nothing we are able to do aside from concentrate on the subsequent fights and ensure it doesn’t occur once more.”
Jacoby is a former GLORY kickboxer with 12 of his 19 MMA wins coming by the use of knockout, however enters the cage together with his again in opposition to the wall after shedding 4 of his previous 5 within the UFC, together with defeats to former title challengers Dominick Reyes and Khalil Rountree.
“He’s very skilled and has fought nice opponents,” Petrino mentioned. “He had good performances even when he misplaced, and went the space more often than not in defeat, so I can’t give him any probabilities. Let’s see what he brings, however I’ll impose my sport and search for openings to get the knockout or the submission as rapidly as potential. I don’t suppose this battle gained’t go to a call.”
