Oh, Brunno Ferreira is on a mission, folks. He’s got his eyes set on Sharabutdin Magomedov, and he’s not about to let that dream fade away.
Back in January, after a bit of a stumble, “The Hulk” came roaring back. He demolished Phil Hawes before the first round even had a chance to warm up. That victory was sweet, especially after a rather bruising 77-second knockout by Nursulton Ruziboev. Now, Ferreira’s record stands proud at 11-1.
But here’s the kicker: he’s stepping back into the cage on June 8. Not against Magomedov, though. Nope. He’s facing Dustin Stoltzfus instead at the UFC Fight Night. Not exactly what he wanted, but hey, a fight’s a fight.
Ferreira didn’t hide his disappointment. “Unfortunately, Shara Magomedov escaped from me for a second time,” he spilled to Sherdog. The fight was almost set for June 22 in Saudi Arabia. But Magomedov chose another path, one that Ferreira thinks is a tad easier. Lucky for Ferreira, the UFC had his back and lined up Stoltzfus as a worthy opponent. “Just like Hawes, he will permit me to show both my striking and grappling abilities,” Ferreira said, optimistic about showcasing his skills.
Starting his MMA journey in 2019, Ferreira’s been honing his skills under the watchful eye of Andre Dida, a legend from Chute Boxe now leading the charge at Brazilian TKO. Dida’s been instrumental, transforming Ferreira from a judo black belt into a striking terror.
Dida’s proud, really. He told Sherdog, “With his amazing work ethic he brought from Judo and his outstanding explosiveness, soon he became a complete athlete mixing throws and knockout power.”
2022 was a standout year for Ferreira. He racked up eight stoppage wins, all in the first two rounds, marking a thunderous start to his pro career. His performance on Dana White’s Contender Series was nothing short of spectacular, taking down Leon Aliu in just 95 seconds.
Since joining the UFC, Ferreira’s fights have been explosive – all ending in first-round knockouts. His debut was a dream, overpowering Gregory Rodrigues. But then came Ruziboev, who handed Ferreira his first defeat. Yet, Ferreira sees it all as part of the journey. “It was very important for me both technically and mentally,” he reflected.
He’s not just back; he’s evolved, ready to showcase a more comprehensive arsenal against Stoltzfus. “And the biggest proof of that I could show in my last fight where I could show all my game with throws and [power], winning my first bonus.” Ferreira’s hungry for more, eyeing a climb up the ranks and, perhaps, a shot at a ranked opponent next.
So, there you have it. Ferreira’s story is one of resilience, skill, and an unyielding desire to prove himself. And who knows? Maybe that fight with Magomedov is still on the horizon.