Las Vegas, NV — The performance put on by Sao Paulo, Brazil’s Jean Matsumoto at Tuesday’s Contender Series outing was enough to get UFC President and CEO Dana White out of his seat and into the cage.
As the DWCS Season 7, Week 6 broadcast team noted, it was just the second time White had entered the cage following a fight on the show. White went so far as to award Masumoto’s opponent, Kasey Tanner, his win bonus, but it was Matsumoto (14-0) with the clear victory and UFC contract in the end.
“It’s a dream come true. I’m ecstatic right now, just very happy to be here. It hasn’t dawned on me yet, but like I said, a dream come true being in the UFC,” the bantamweight told media outlets including Cageside Press following the fight.
The war that transpired Tuesday, which saw Matsumoto finding success with his hands and kicks, was something he had readied himself for.
“We came prepared for anything that could happen, and obviously prepared for a war just like it was. As it turns out, I came expecting what God had prepared for me. It’s a win that’s got even much more value for how it was.”
Matsumoto is still a young man at 24, but has been competing since his teens and training since he was a kid, he noted. At eight years old, he decided to focus on MMA. “Ever since that happened, I set my goals and said that I was going to be in the UFC. Obviously being so young and having all that experience is very important, and I’m ready. I feel ready to be in the UFC.”
Asked about when he’d like to debut inside the octagon for the UFC, Jean Matsumoto left that in the hands of the promotion.
“I came here to work. Whatever Dana says, I’m ready to go. I want to be the employee of the month,” he stated. “Whatever they say, I’ll be ready to fight. It’s what I love to do, I train all the time. If I could, I’d just train 24 hours a day and never stop.”
One possibility does appeal to Matsumoto, however. “I heard there’s a card in Orlando at the end of the year, and I would love to see Disney.” With Disney World nearby, that would certainly be a big trip.
Watch the full DWCS 62 post-fight press scrum with Jean Matsumoto above.
