Ali Akbar Rosady
Felipe Franco, a promising heavyweight contender from Brazil, is poised to make his highly anticipated octagon debut this Saturday in London. Scheduled to face the undefeated Mario Pinto on the preliminary portion of UFC London, Franco aims to initiate his Ultimate Fighting Championship career with a decisive performance. His upcoming bout arrives amidst a backdrop of changing performance expectations within the promotion, a sentiment Franco has openly addressed, drawing parallels to the recent departure of his training partner, Jailton Almeida.
Franco, who trains alongside Almeida at Galpão da Luta in Brazil, voiced strong disagreement with the UFC’s decision to part ways with his teammate, Almeida, following consecutive decision defeats to Rizvan Kuniev and Alexander Volkov. Franco characterized the release as unduly harsh, interpreting it as a clear signal of the UFC’s current strategic shift. This shift, according to Franco, emphasizes the delivery of non-stop excitement, fueled by new finishing bonuses and a perceived intensified pressure from broadcasting agreements, which Franco specifically referenced in the context of Paramount+.
"That’s what the UFC wants now, especially after this deal with Paramount," Franco informed MMA Fighting. "They want entertainment. They want to see blood, they want to see people throwing down, and that’s exactly what we’re going to deliver." His statement underscores a growing perception among fighters that the path to sustained UFC careers increasingly hinges on delivering highlight-reel finishes rather than merely securing victories.
Almeida, known by his moniker "Malhadinho," has since transitioned from the UFC, signing with the Russian promotion ACA. Franco maintains that Almeida’s departure was undeserving, especially when considering his prior contributions and aggressive fighting style within the organization. Before his recent setbacks, Almeida had established a formidable reputation, particularly since his appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series, where he consistently delivered aggressive performances and secured convincing finishes. His initial run in the UFC saw him accumulate an impressive record of six consecutive victories, all by knockout or submission, cementing his status as a rapidly ascending force in the heavyweight division. The two decision losses, particularly against a seasoned veteran like Alexander Volkov, represented a significant shift from his prior dominant displays.
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"What happened to ‘Malhadinho’ was unfair, in my opinion, considering everything he did in the organization," Franco stated. "Since the Contender Series, he’s always been very aggressive, finishing fights convincingly, and those last two performances don’t define who he is. I think the UFC might be under some pressure, I don’t know, but sometimes they act on impulse, and unfortunately they released him."
Despite the setback for his teammate, Franco expressed confidence in Almeida’s future prospects. "But I believe he’ll come back strong," Franco added. "He signed with ACA and is going to dominate that division there. Now it’s on us to carry on in the UFC. ‘Malhadinho’ is an inspiration to me, so I’m going there to represent as well." Franco also speculated on Almeida’s potential return to the UFC, suggesting that a dominant run in ACA could recapture the promotion’s attention. He concluded, however, that Almeida is currently in a "good place," financially comfortable, regardless of his future trajectory in mixed martial arts.
Franco, nicknamed "Negão," shares a similar versatility with Almeida, capable of competing effectively in both the light heavyweight (205 pounds) and heavyweight divisions. He enters his UFC debut boasting a professional record of 10 wins and 1 loss, with all ten victories achieved by either knockout or submission, showcasing a definitive finishing instinct. His journey to the UFC was not without its challenges. Franco had an opportunity to secure a contract through Dana White’s Contender Series in September of the previous year. However, after a series of opponent changes, he ultimately faced Freddy Vidal, suffering a knockout loss late in the third round.
Undeterred by the Contender Series defeat, "Negão" quickly regrouped, securing two impressive finishes on the demanding Brazilian regional circuit. These performances captured the attention of UFC matchmakers, leading to a short-notice call to replace Mick Parkin against Mario Pinto in London. This opportunity represents a significant milestone in Franco’s career, providing a direct pathway to the sport’s premier organization.
Reflecting on his previous Contender Series experience, Franco acknowledged its value despite the outcome. "I got the opportunity to fight on the Contender Series and it was a very good experience despite the loss," Franco explained. "We stayed firm in our goal, which was to get into the UFC. Being there and experiencing everything the UFC offers an athlete just made me want it even more." This firsthand exposure to the UFC environment, even in defeat, intensified his resolve to join the roster.
Following his loss to Vidal, the 25-year-old Brazilian meticulously re-watched the fight, identifying and addressing the technical and strategic shortcomings in his game. He dedicated significant time in the gym to refining his skills, aiming to demonstrate a marked evolution in his performance during his upcoming London bout.
Regarding his opponent, Mario Pinto, who brings an undefeated record into the contest, Franco offered a measured yet confident assessment. "He’s a good fighter. I’m not going to lie to you, he’s good," Franco conceded. "We studied his game a lot. But he’s not unbeatable. Actually, nobody is unbeatable. He has a lot of holes in his game that we’ve analyzed, a lot of patterns he repeats." Franco further elaborated on Pinto’s fighting style, noting his intensity on the feet and a solid ground game. However, he expressed skepticism about Pinto’s willingness to engage in grappling exchanges with him. "I don’t think he’ll want to grapple with me," Franco asserted. "We’ve studied him, and there will be surprises on Saturday. I’ll be the one coming out on top."
Franco’s strategic analysis suggests a game plan tailored to exploit Pinto’s vulnerabilities, indicating a readiness to adapt to various facets of the fight. His confident pronouncements align with the broader narrative of delivering an entertaining and decisive performance, a mandate he believes is increasingly central to a successful career within the contemporary UFC landscape. His debut at UFC London will serve as a crucial test of both his physical capabilities and his ability to meet the heightened expectations for action and finishes that he perceives within the promotion.
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