Rio de Janeiro – UFC middleweight Gregory Rodrigues was close to missing out on UFC 283, but instead faces Brunno Ferreira in the prelims on Saturday night in Brazil.
“I (was) supposed (to) not get a fight, but Brunno stepped in, and I’m so happy to be here in Rio de Janeiro. After five years living in United States man it’s incredible, and I brought my family. My baby, my wife, so that’s special for me,” Rodrigues told reporters on Wednesday.
“I was supposed to fight Brad Tavares, and that’s a fight was make a lot of sense for me. Specially this time in career. Man I’m a fighter, I fight you know, get Brunno.”
Ferreira (9-0) comes into UFC 283 to make his official UFC debut after scoring a first-round TKO at Dana White’s Contender Series in Sept. 2022.
“Brunno is a tough fight. He’s undefeated just coming off great win in the Contender Series, but I’m ready. I know who I am and I know where I’m going. That’s going to be a great fight,” Rodrigues said.
As far as the fight itself Rodrigues said he didn’t change his game plan for his opponent from what he was going to do against Tavares.
“He’s a short guy, you know, strong. I didn’t change my plan so. I’m ready to fight. I’m ready (for) everything. Stand up, ground,” he said.
“Where ever the fight goes I’m ready for it.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Gregory Rodrigues above. Rodrigues takes on Brunno Ferreira at UFC 283 on Saturday night in Rio de Janeiro.
