Brunno Ferreira Plans to Remain in Las Vegas, Offers Services as Backup

Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight Brunno Ferreira has learned that there is a certain value to making yourself available.

Brazil’s Ferreira (12-1) is coming off his third win in the Octagon, where he blasted Dustin Stoltzfus with a spinning back elbow to claim a “Performance of the Night” bonus along with his show and win money. “The Hulk” revealed to Sherdog that he decided to stay in Las Vegas to attend Wanderlei Silva’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony on June 27.

“Besides being a friend and a longtime training partner of my master Dida [Andre Amado], Wanderlei is an idol to all Brazilian fighters. So, I wouldn't lose the opportunity to stay two more weeks in Vegas and testify to such an important moment of his career,” Ferreira said gleefully.

Ferreira’s team has already informed the promotion that he is available to serve as a late replacement in a fight in the middleweight division falls through in the next few weeks. While one opportunity did arise as the main attraction of UFC on ABC 6, Ikram Aliskerov ended up replacing Khamzat Chimaev against Robert Whittaker. Ferreira is ready for any other opportunity that comes his way.

After challenging Bo Nickal in the Octagon, suggesting a clash between judo and wrestling in their next fight, “The Hulk” reacted to a statement from ATT coach, Marcos da Matta, on a Brazilian podcast last Monday. The coach suggested that Nickal already has a fight lined up against a different Brazilian in November—potentially against grappling ace Rodolfo Vieira.

“We are both national team level fighters in our styles and I truly believe judo has [many] more weapons for MMA than wrestling, and I was going to prove that against him, but I found out, after the event, that he will face Rodolfo Vieira, 100%,” Ferreira explained.

If Nickal is not in the cards for the marauding striker, he will not lose sleep over it. He states that he is willing to take any opening in the next few weeks, unless the UFC has other plans for a fight scheduled in the future. As for now, Ferreira is just playing the waiting game.

“I’m already training every day in [the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas]. If they need me for next week, I’m here,” Ferreira concluded.