Vitor Petrino aims for Top 10 at UFC Rio and talks about possible confrontation with Alex Poatan

Vitor Petrino, considered one of the greatest Brazilian promises in Ultimate, will be on the main card of the UFC Riofacing the experienced Anthony Smith next Saturday (4). With a victory, the Minas Gerais native could enter the Top 10 of the light heavyweight category, continuing his journey towards fighting for the belt.

Undefeated in MMA and with four consecutive victories in UFC, Petrino knows that his rapid rise could put him face to face with the current division champion, Alex Poatan. During Media Day before the UFC Rio“Cabuloso” was asked about the possibility of facing his compatriot in the future and he didn’t shy away from the answer.

“Alex Poatan is a sinister guy for what he has done. The guy was GLORY champion in two categories, UFC champion in two categories, maximum respect for this guy. We know his story and where he came from. Everyone knows him… I doubt anyone doesn’t know Poatan today within the category. But he is the champion of the category and I am the Top 15, wanting to reach the Top 10 and Top 5. So he is the guy to beat”, stated Petrino.

Showing respect for the trajectory of Poatan, Petrino made it clear that his objective is to reach the place where the current champion is. “I have too much respect, for his history and for who he is, but he is where I want to be. So, if one day he is champion the day I get there, let it be an exciting, sinister fight that fills the eyes of the Brazilian public. He’s a guy who has his story, but where he is, I want to get to. He’s still a future opponent, right? So he’s a guy I want to face in the future, yes,” designed.