Oh, the journey Diego Ferreira has been on. Moving countries, enduring those never-ending trips between gyms. All of it polished his skills to a shine. Now, at 39, he’s a staple in the UFC, having dedicated a good chunk of his life to it.
“I haven’t hit my peak yet,” Ferreira admits. “But I’m hungry for it. Every day, I’m grinding, aiming to topple the top dogs in my weight class. That belt? I’ve got my eyes on it.”
Enter the underdog role, a familiar one for Ferreira. This Saturday, he’s squaring off against Mateusz Rebecki. A tough gig, especially at this point in his career. With three losses in his last four fights, the stakes are sky-high. Yet, he bounced back with a knockout win against Michael Johnson recently, snagging a nice bonus in the process. Those bonuses? Lifesavers. “They’ve been a huge help,” says Ferreira. They’ve allowed him to support his family, open his own academy, and even buy a house. Dreams turned reality, thanks to those UFC paychecks.
Now, about Rebecki. The guy’s a menace from American Top Team, riding a jaw-dropping 16-fight win streak. Unranked but undeniably dangerous. Ferreira’s not sweating it, though. “He’s tough, sure. But I’m ready. We’re both jiu-jitsu guys, but I’m betting on a striking showdown. I’m aiming to dodge his left and make my mark. His record doesn’t scare me. I’ve faced beasts before.”
Ferreira’s not just fighting for the thrill; he’s got his eyes on the prize. The belt, yes, but there’s more. “I’m dreaming bigger now,” he says. “Owning a farm in the US, that’s the goal. It’s all about the belt and the farm for me. And I’m ready to fight tooth and nail to make it all happen this year.”