Vitor Petrino looks to extend his win streak and success in the heavyweight division at UFC Vegas 114, with the former 205’er competing in his new home for the third time.
This time, it’s against popular Contender Series product Steven Asplund, who made a name himself initially in LFA.
Petrino (13-2) noted during this week’s UFC Vegas 114 media day that there’s no turning back now when it comes to his move up in weight.
“Very happy in this weight division, not looking back at all. No plans of going back to 205,” Petrino stated, speaking via translator. “Not just because of the way the fights have been, but also all throughout camp, the decision seems very wise. Because I’m feeling good, eating good, sleeping good. Everything feels good, so I found a home in this division.”
Petrino said the shallow depth of the UFC’s heavyweight division, essentially its weakest, didn’t factor in to the move. After all, there are tough fights to be found everywhere.
“There’s tough guys at 205, there’s tough guys at heavyweight. It’s about you being happy. I feel the happiest facing those guys and being in position for it,” he stated. “I started to recover the will to prepare for those fights and to fight those guys and [I’m] feeling happier because of the current weight division.”
When asked about finding training partners at heavyweight, Petrino suggested his gym has a wealth of talent to that end.
“We’re actually in a very good position in the gym right now. If you go from middleweight all the way to heavyweight, we have 12 dudes who have international experience, have been through Contender Series, have actually fought at different places in the world against different competition. And from those twelve, six, seven are actually heavyweights.
On the subject of Asplund, Petrino admitted that he was somewhat familiar with him.
“I’ve seen some stuff that he’s done in the UFC and everything, and I’m a guy who loves this, but I love to train.” Petrino watches all the fights each Saturday, but admits he hasn’t followed the sport much outside of it. “It’s cool that he does all these things, but I’m focused on what he brings to the octagon. That’s what matters to me.”
Watch the full UFC Vegas 114 media day appearance by Vitor Petrino above.
