Nikolas Motta has had a rocky journey to claim his spot in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The Brazilian player took two attempts to secure his position in the international martial arts organization. However, it remains to be seen whether he can gain a firm footing in the stringent competition and make this opportunity a long-lasting one.
Motta, a previous titleholder at Cage Fury Fighting Championships, aims to establish his credentials in the fiercely competitive lightweight division of UFC. He is set to take on Trey Ogden at UFC Fight Night 232, scheduled to be held this Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Although Motta currently holds a 1-2 record inside the Octagon, he is prepared to delve deep into his long-standing dream of reaching greater heights in the sport. He states, “Ever since I left home at 18, I’ve been very focused on MMA. I dedicate my life to it. I’ve never had a Plan B. I’ve dedicated my entire life to making it happen, and I managed to get into the world’s biggest promotion.”
Motta’s first bout with the UFC came in 2015, when he appeared on Season 4 of “The Ultimate Fighter Brazil”. Despite his successful elimination round against Alexandre Cidade, Motta fell short in the quarterfinals due to a rear-naked choke by Glaico Franca. Reflecting on the loss, he expresses, “I was very young. It was very hard on me when I didn’t get into the UFC. It was hard to deal with it. I had always been so focused and dedicated. It was very hard when it didn’t happen back then, but later I realized that I didn’t have enough experience. Today, I see that I’m a much more complete fighter. I’m much more comfortable.”
The 30-year-old fighter finally secured his position in the UFC in November 2020 when he beat Joseph Lowry in a unanimous decision on Dana White’s Contender Series. However, his UFC experience has been checkered since then, with losses against Jim Miller and Manuel Torres. Regardless, Motta is determined not to let his uneven performance deter him from giving his best against Ogden. Based out of Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas, Motta is ready to put on a dynamic performance, asserting, “Every time I fight, it’s to put on a show. It’s to get a knockout or submission. I’m going to do it again. I’ll do everything in my power to win this fight. Losses happen, but I’ll never lose because I didn’t work my hardest and give everything I had. It’s in God’s hands.”