Vitor Petrino may say he’s not in a rush, but his actions tell a different tale. His knack for finishing fights and his speedy climb up the light heavyweight ranks paint a different picture.
After earning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series last September, Petrino made quite the entrance in the Ultimate Fighting Championship this year. The 26-year-old won all three of his fights, leaving a lasting impression.
In his latest bout, which took place in his home country of Brazil in November, Petrino knocked out Modestas Bukauskas in the second round. This victory brought his career total to an impressive 10-0, with eight finishes.
Petrino is clearly a rising star in the 205-pound division. With the division currently filled with older contenders, many of whom have already faced off against each other, 2024 is shaping up to be a big year for him. However, Petrino is cautious about moving too fast.
“I don’t have a specific name to call out, since I’m just 26 and I’m in no hurry,” Petrino shared with Sherdog. He added, “I don’t want to be another hyped guy that falls when he faces a real test, but in five months, I beat two tough opponents, submitting Marcin Prachnio and knocking out Bukauskas. I think I deserve a top 15 fighter next, but it’s up to the UFC.”
Petrino still feels the thrill of his fight 45 days ago, with the Sao Paulo audience cheering him on. He described the experience as a dream come true, recalling, “Two years ago I was fighting in small Brazilian events. It’s hard to describe the emotion of fighting supported by a noisy Brazilian audience. ‘Uh vai morrer’ and other chants…it definitely pushes you forward.”
Petrino credits his training situation as the real key to his success. He praised his home gym, CM System, for the quality of instruction and the infrastructure. “Besides having great sparring partners, the new structure of the CM System here is unbelievable,” he declared.
Petrino went on to describe the gym’s facilities, which include a ring, an octagon, and 400 square meters of mat space. They also have a private physical therapist and professionals in different areas. Cristiano Marcello, their head coach, also teaches jiu-jitsu classes. They have a Cuban wrestling coach named Vladimir, a muay thai coach named Cleverson Silva, and capoeira classes three days a week. They even have a dormitory building for foreign fighters. “CM System today is like a Brazilian Disneyland for MMA fighters,” Petrino said.
While he doesn’t want to rush things, Petrino understands that his winning streak is raising his profile in the division. He believes he will naturally reach a title shot if he can win three or four more fights. “I believe my next opponent will be a top 15 fighter, then a top 10 and finally top 5,” he said. “When I beat a top 5 fighter, I may go straight for the title shot, or fight one more before the title shot. But as I said, I’m only 26 and I have no hurry, I’m working hard to be able to accept any challenge UFC offers me and I hope they invite me to return soon. March or April would be perfect to me.”