The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is set to witness a thrilling showdown at UFC Oklahoma City, as rising star Levi "Baby Monster" Rodrigues Jr. steps into the octagon for his highly anticipated debut. With an air of confidence and an unwavering belief in his abilities, Rodrigues Jr. is poised to make a statement and embark on a historic journey towards becoming a three-division champion.
Rodrigues Jr.'s path to the UFC has been nothing short of remarkable. With an undefeated record in professional MMA, he boasts an impressive five finishes and one no-contest. His versatility is evident in his previous experiences, having competed at light heavyweight, heavyweight, and even engaging in middleweight bouts in muay Thai and kickboxing. This diverse skill set has undoubtedly contributed to his success and sets him apart as a formidable force in the sport.
In a recent interview, Rodrigues Jr. expressed his aspirations for the future, stating, "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."
However, Rodrigues Jr.'s journey to the UFC has not been without its challenges. His debut on Dana White's Contender Series against Freddy Vidal resulted in a first-round knockout, which was later overturned to a no-contest due to a failed drug test for a metabolite of nandrolone. Rodrigues Jr. attributed this setback to a series of injections he received after a near-paralyzing injury during a jiu-jitsu match, which left him bedridden for six months. The banned substance, which he claims he was unaware of, lingered in his system for his DWCS bout, leading to the suspension and subsequent contract with the UFC.
Now, with the opportunity to step into the octagon for the first time, Rodrigues Jr. is eager to showcase his skills and entertain the fans. He emphasizes the importance of putting on a show, stating, "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."
His opponent at UFC Oklahoma City, Felipe Franco, is a familiar face in the 205-pound division. Franco returns after a short-notice decision loss to heavyweight prospect Mario Pinto in his promotional debut. The 25-year-old is a teammate of Jailton Almeida, and Rodrigues Jr. anticipates a strategic battle, saying, "I don’t think he’s going to want to stand and trade with me. 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."
As Rodrigues Jr. prepares for his UFC debut, the excitement and anticipation are palpable. With his unwavering confidence, diverse skill set, and determination to entertain the fans, he is poised to make a lasting impact in the UFC. The stage is set for a historic career, and the world awaits to witness the rise of a potential three-division champion.
