Levi Rodrigues Jr. targets three UFC titles after Oklahoma City debut
Levi Rodrigues Jr. faces Felipe Franco at UFC Oklahoma City on Saturday and says he will succeed where Alex Pereira fell short — winning three UFC titles across different weight classes.
Rodrigues Jr., who goes by "Baby Monster," brings a 5-0-1 record into his octagon debut at the Paycom Center, with five finishes and one no-contest. The undefeated Brazilian has already competed at heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight and heavyweight in MMA, plus middleweight in muay Thai and kickboxing, and told MMA Fighting he plans to capture belts at 205, 185, and heavyweight. Pereira failed in his attempt at a third title last month when he lost to Ciryl Gane.
Rodrigues Jr. overcame suspension to reach UFC
"Ever since I was 12 years old, my dream was to make it to the UFC," Rodrigues Jr. said. "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."
The 25-year-old earned his contract with a first-round knockout on Dana White's Contender Series, though the result was later changed to no-contest after he tested positive for a metabolite of nandrolone. Rodrigues Jr. said the banned substance came from injections he received after a jiu-jitsu injury left him bedridden for six months. After serving his suspension, the UFC still signed him.
Franco returns to light heavyweight after dropping a short-notice decision to Mario Pinto at heavyweight in March. A teammate of Jailton Almeida, Franco will likely look to grapple, according to Rodrigues Jr., who promised fans a show regardless of how the fight plays out. "No matter who the opponent is, who gets knocked out or who gets submitted, I'll be there to put on a great show," he said.
UFC Oklahoma City airs Saturday from the Paycom Center.
Original reporting:
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