10 Questions for Vitor Petrino

Vitor Petrino spent countless hours preparing for this moment.

The 25-year-old CM System prospect will make his Ultimate Fighting Championship debut when he tackles Anton Turkalj in a UFC Fight Night 221 light heavyweight showcase on Saturday inside The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas. Petrino enters the Octagon with a perfect 7-0 record, with six of his victories having resulted in finishes. He last appeared on Week 7 of Dana White’s Contender Series, where he put away Rodolfo Bellato with punches in the second round of their Sept. 6 pairing.

In this exclusive interview with Sherdog.com, Petrino traces his path to becoming a mixed martial artist, outlines his plans for the future and touches on his motivations:

Sherdog.com: You are undefeated as a pro and also had at least four amateur fights—a rarity in Brazil. Can you share some details about your career thus far?
Petrino: Actually, I had seven amateur bouts, of which I lost one. My one loss helped me figure out what I had to change. Since striking came easy to me, I had been neglecting my game against the cage, as well as jiu-jitsu. I lost to someone who didn’t even hit me. He would take me down and score points from top position. I feel that amateur MMA is essential so athletes can get a feel for it, spot weak points and be a more complete fighter when they transition to professional fighting.

Sherdog.com: How did you get interested in MMA?
Petrino: I’ve always been around martial arts since age 6. Where I live, I was exposed to capoeira and taekwondo. It’s something I did, but I didn’t understand it very well. I would simply attend classes at our social project. I ended up developing a liking for it. By age 13 or 14, I decided to dedicate myself to boxing, muay thai and sanda. There were no long-term plans. I trained and enjoyed it, but I didn’t yet know how to make a profession of it. I realized I could make a living from fighting when I came across amateur MMA. I got to interact with other athletes who said I had good potential. They gave me some guidance. Amateur MMA is a fairly new thing in my state of Minas Gerais.

Sherdog.com: Did you have support in your chosen career path?
Petrino: When I was getting started, most of my support came from my parents and siblings. Sometimes, I’d get a little help from friends or cousins. Since we didn’t know of anyone who had been able to make a living from MMA, there was a fear that I might be wasting my time. Little by little, people started seeing that I wasn’t about to quit. The support level increased then, from my family to small sponsors to bigger sponsors later on. It took years. I only managed to make a living from the sport, from my sponsorships, a year or two ago.

Sherdog.com: What sorts of other jobs did you hold?
Petrino: I still worked regular jobs two years after I turned pro since the sport didn’t pay much. I’ve been a security guard and waiter. Things finally got better after I had an overseas fight [against Gadzhimurad Antigulov] in Abu Dhabi, [United Arab Emirates].

Sherdog.com: What was it like to punch your ticket to the UFC by winning on Dana White’s Contender Series?
Petrino: To win on DWCS was an inexplicable sensation. The UFC is the biggest organization in the world, so there are no low-level fighters. I believe in my game. I know my game. I know how I train. I’m ready to fight in any area. I’m betting that my MMA is better than my opponent’s.

Sherdog.com: What can you say about Turkalj, your opponent at UFC Fight Night 221?
Petrino: I never underestimate anyone I face. I simply believe in the work I put in with my team. Regardless of what he brings, I’m ready. My goal is to impose my game and not play his. You can expect a great show.

Sherdog.com: Can you talk about your fight cancellation at the end of 2022 and being rebooked against a different opponent for this event?
Petrino: I’m much happier to be facing Turkalj now as opposed to Tafon Nchukwi in December. It’s not because of the change of opponent but for the additional time I was granted. I had just fought in September, and while I was recovering from my injuries, I received my UFC booking. It would have still been a good decision to go forward due to the money. However, to do it later would have been better for me. Tafon dropped out due to an injury, and now I’m going to face Anton, who’s a very tough opponent. I saw him fight at [Dana White’s] Contender [Series]. He already had his UFC debut. When I saw him on DWCS, I felt like we’d cross paths eventually. The extra time was great for me, as far as preparation and additional improvements. I’m ready for any situation, whether on the mat or on the feet.

Sherdog.com: How was your training camp?
Petrino: From the start, my team has helped me keep evolving. We have Brazil’s best fighters. I train with Elizeu "Capoeira" Zaleski dos Santos. Our coach, Cristiano Marcello, is a jiu-jitsu legend. I train with current and former champions like Daniel Pereira, Luan Santiago and Geraldo Coelho de Lima Neto. Our physical conditioning coach works with several Brazilian national teams, like golf and tennis. I believe my team is the best in the world. Everyone works hard and honestly. Their technical quality is impeccable. Not only do they have a wealth of knowledge, but they’re always looking to learn something new to pass along.

Sherdog.com: What are your plans for the future?
Petrino: I want to secure my place in the organization. After this fight, I want to face the best opponents. I don’t want to rush anything. I want to keep fighting and winning until I get to the Top 5 and get a shot at the title.

Sherdog.com: What motivates you? Petrino: I love what I do. I love training. I love the sensation of stepping into the cage and fighting another human being. I’m always looking to put on a show. I feel a great sense of accomplishment. When someone is happy doing what he loves, nothing can stop him. I can’t promise a win, but a show is guaranteed. A happy fighter is a dangerous fighter. I’m undefeated, but I don’t let that put pressure on me. Every day I look for ways to get better.