Carlos Mota is finally getting a shot in the UFC.
For the past couple of years, Brazil’s Mota (8-1) has been a flyweight prospect to watch. The 27-year old started his career 5-0 and quickly worked his way to a title shot in LFA, though visa issues delayed that somewhat.
After suffering a defeat to Charles Johnson, himself now a UFC fighter, in his first crack at LFA gold, Mota worked his way back to that promotion’s flyweight belt, winning the title back in August. He’ll now step up at UFC Vegas 63 this coming Saturday, taking on Cody Durden (13-4-1) in place of countryman Kleydson Rodrigues.
MMA Fighting was first to report the news, which Cageside Press was subsequently able to verify. Mota has three finishes in his last four wins.
Durden last faced off with JP Buys, picking up a TKO win in the opening round of their fight. That got him back in the win column after being steamrolled by uber-prospect Muhammad Mokaev at UFC London in March.
Mark Madsen, meanwhile, also has a new opponent for UFC Vegas 63. Originally scheduled to face Drakkar Klose, an injury to Klose has resulted in Grant Dawson stepping up to take the fight.
Combate first reported news of the switch.
UFC Vegas 63 takes place Saturday, October 29, 2022 at the Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. The following match-ups have been reported for the event:
- Calvin Kattar vs. Arnold Allen
- Max Griffin vs. Tim Means
- Jared Vanderaa vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta
- Josh Fremd vs. Tresean Gore
- Dustin Jacoby vs. Khalil Rountree Jr.
- Phil Hawes vs. Roman Dolidze
- Andrei Arlovski vs. Marcos Rogério de Lima
- Park Jun-yong vs. Joseph Holmes
- Chase Hooper vs. Steve Garcia
- Mark Madsen vs. Grant Dawson
- Carlos Mota vs. Cody Durden
