Joanderson Brito’s journey through the UFC featherweight division is picking up steam. Every fight he wins, the buzz around him grows louder.
At 29, this Brazilian fighter is eyeing a spot in the Top 15 of the 145-pound weight class. He’s set to face Jack Shore in the UFC 301 prelims this Saturday. The venue? Farmasi Arena, right in the heart of Rio de Janeiro.
Brito’s path to the UFC roster was through Dana White’s Contender Series back in August 2021. His first fight didn’t go as planned, losing to Bill Algeo. But, boy, did he bounce back. Brito’s racked up four straight wins since then, each one more thrilling than the last. His latest victory? A stunning ninja choke submission against Jonathan Pearce.
“I’m stoked,” Brito shared with Sherdog.com. “Looking at my journey, every step has been a leap towards that championship dream. It’s been a wild ride, with its ups and downs, but I’ve stayed the course.”
Next up is Shore, a formidable opponent with a 17-1 record. This former Cage Warriors champ only stumbled once, against Ricky Simon. Shore’s last fight was a win against Makwan Amirkhani, showcasing his skills with a rear-naked choke finish.
Brito isn’t fazed, though. “Shore’s good, I’ll give him that. But I’ve faced tough guys before. I’ll get past him too.”
The fight’s in Brazil, giving Brito home advantage. “Fighting on home turf? Huge plus for me,” he said, anticipating the support of the local crowd.
Preparation is key, and Brito’s been hard at work at the Chute Boxe academy in Sao Paulo. It’s a team effort, with coaches and training partners like Joao Emilio, Melquizael Costa, and Igor da Silva, to name a few, all playing their part.
“My training’s been intense,” Brito said. “I’ve focused on conditioning, boxing, and honing my jiu-jitsu skills.”
While Brito once had his sights set on Dan Ige, he’s now eyeing Brian Ortega, a top contender. But first, he must get past Shore.
“My eyes are on the Top 5,” Brito stated. “I’m not obsessing over the belt. I know I belong among the elite.”