UFC Tampa’s Vitor Petrino ready to rebound after ‘bad day at work’ against Anthony Smith

On By Littum

Vitor Petrino is ready to get back on the horse after the most frustrating night of his MMA career.

The Brazilian talent was a heavy favorite heading into his UFC 301 showdown with veteran Anthony Smith in May in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, but saw his four-fight UFC winning streak snap quickly after hitting a guillotine choke two minutes into the fight. first round.

Seven months later, Petrino returns to the cage to face light heavyweight Dustin Jacoby at UFC Tampa, which goes down Saturday night in Florida.

“It was very unfortunate,” Petrino said in an interview with MMA Fighting. “I made a mistake in the takedown attempt, but we’ve already fixed everything in the gym. Technique-wise, post-fight anxiety, everything. I think it all happened as it was supposed to happen. Everything happens for a reason.

“But nothing has changed, we continue to work tirelessly in the gym, always motivated, always ready. That Anthony Smith game was a bad day at work, but it happens. We will focus on our next target now, which is Dustin Jacoby. I’m going after it to show everyone our full potential.”

Many athletes cite a sense of relief after losing for the first time in MMA, as it takes the “weight” off their shoulders to be undefeated for so long. However, that is not the case for Petrino.

“Losing stinks,” Petrino laughed. “I’ve never had that pressure to be undefeated. I have always loved what I do, which is training and fighting. Let’s move on now. There is nothing we can do other than focus on the next games and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Jacoby is a former GLORY kickboxer with 12 of his 19 MMA wins by knockout, but enters the cage with his back against the wall having lost four of his last five in the UFC, including defeats to former title contenders Dominick Reyes and Khalil Rundtræ.

“He’s very experienced and has struggled against great opponents,” Petrino said. “He had good performances even when he lost and went the distance most of the time in defeat, so I can’t give him any chances. Let’s see what he brings, but I will impose my game and look for openings to get the knockout or submission as soon as possible. I don’t think this fight will go to a decision.”