With Clear Path to Title, Antonio Carlos Jr. Finds Motivation Comes Easier in PFL

Once upon a time, Antonio Carlos Jr. put together a five-bout winning streak in the UFC’s middleweight division.

Despite that success, he didn’t feel like he was close to a title shot, and he wasn’t quite sure what it would take him to get to that point. There is no such confusion for Carlos Jr. in Professional Fighters League. Carlos Jr. will meet Emiliano Sordi in the a light heavyweight semifinal bout in the PFL playoffs on Friday at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Fla. Should he win, Carlos Jr. will get a shot to compete for a 205-pound championship and a $1 million prize.

That clarity has definitely made a different in Carlos Jr.’s mindset.

“When you feel you’re close to the belt, you feel more motivated. You’re always thinking about the title,” Carlos Jr. said during a PFL virtual media day. “That’s what I want to reach in my career.

“I never could fight for the belt in the UFC. They see things a little different. Some time ago, I was on a five-fight winning streak, and I was not even close to the belt. It was a little weird. But now I feel really motivated.”

Carlos Jr. exited the UFC on a three-fight losing streak before signing with the PFL. He submitted Tom Lawler in the first round of his promotional debut before his second appearance against Vinny Magalhaes was ruled a no contest when he landed an accidental knee to the groin.

As he prepares to face Sordi, the defending light heavyweight champion, Carlos Jr. believes he choice the right organization to fit his personality.

“I said it was a fresh start for me. I’m feeling really great for coming to PFL,” he said. “I always like this system. Even when I was with the UFC, I [said] I love the PFL system. If you win, you go to the next fight. You don’t have this much of this trash talk. I’m not a trash talking kind of guy, so I love it.”

The 31-year-old American Top Team product has always wanted to capture a championship in a major MMA organization. Now, that dream is close enough that he can taste it. That has led to positive vibes everywhere else in Carlos Jr.’s life.

“I’m feeling really great for everything happening in my life. I’m close to the goal, something that I always wanted to achieve,” Carlos Jr. said. “Now it’s pretty close, so I’m really happy, training a lot, giving my best. Good energy around with all my friends, training partners and coaches. We are really confident of this victory and confident of winning the title, so we’re just going step-by-step.”