Cezar ‘Mutante’ Replaces Patrick Brady, Makes HW Debut vs. Denis Goltsov at PFL 3

Cezar Ferreira hasn’t competed in MMA since a 13-second technical knockout loss to Marthin Hamlet in the 2021 Professional Fighters League playoffs.

That will change on Friday night after “Mutante” received a short-notice offer to replace Patrick Brady against Denis Goltsov in a heavyweight bout at PFL 3.

"My manager called me Monday night offering a fight at heavyweight,” Ferreira told Sherdog.com. “And I didn’t think twice. The most difficult thing was doing all the medicals on time. It was such a marathon. But here I´m at the airport. The guy has two legs and two arms like myself. I love challenges and I’m going there to take that Russian’s place and get into the $1 million dollar [competition].”

Weighing 228 pounds compared to approximately 245 for Goltsov, “Mutante” thinks speed might be an advantage for him.

"He is heavier but I’m faster,” Ferreira said. “I’ve already fought at welterweight, middleweight, light heavyweight and now I’m making my heavyweight debut. ‘Mutante’ is back.”