Carlos Diego Ferreira has an opportunity to cement himself as a true top contender in the lightweight division with a win over Francisco Trinaldo at UFC 237.
Carlos Diego Ferreira, who opens the UFC 237 main card this weekend, has had a rollercoaster UFC career. Starting off with two wins in 2014, both earning him a post-fight bonus, Ferreira was designated as a fighter to look out for. However, consecutive losses to then fellow-prospects Dustin Poirier and Beneil Dariush threw the Brazilian down. Suffering back-to-back losses while climbing up the ranks can not only halt growth but send a fighter into a downward spiral. Ferreira managed to save himself by securing a win against Olivier Aubin-Mercier, but soon after, he failed a drug test. He was handed a 17-month suspension and thus was written off.
Entering UFC Austin last February, not many expected the Brazilian to win. He was fighting a rising prospect who was on a five-fight win streak in Jared Gordon. It took Ferreira less than two minutes to put all the doubters and critics in their place as he secured a TKO at 1:58 of round one. Since then, Ferreira has been unstoppable and has racked up wins against Kyle Nelson and Rustam Khabilov. This weekend is his chance to cement his claim to being an elite fighter.
At UFC 237, Ferreira faces long-time divisional stalwart Francisco Trinaldo, who enters the fight at a crossroads his career. Trinaldo shot to the elite names of the division by going on a seven-fight win streak, but since 2017 has had a rough run in which he has gone 2-2. The losses, however, have only come to some of the best, like Kevin Lee. So a win over Trinaldo legitimizes a fighter’s claim to being one of the best in the lightweight division.
Ferreira’s streak on paper might look impressive but none of the names on his record are as respected as Trinaldo. This is his chance to capture fans’ attention and shoot himself up. That being said, it is no easy task dealing with someone as accomplished as Trinaldo, who in his 29-fight career has racked up wins over the likes of Jim Miller and Chad Laprise. This should be an entertaining fight.
UFC 235 takes place Saturday, May 10. The card airs exclusively on ESPN+ PPV in North America after televised and online prelims, and on BT Sport in the UK. In India, the card airs on Sunday, May 11, live on SONY Ten 2 and SONY Ten 2 HD.
