Rafael Estevam’s UFC debut is scheduled for May 6th – News of Brazil
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Lana Caroline
sports editor
Next Saturday (06) the fighter from Amapá, Rafael Estevam, 26 years old, will make his first fight for UFC 288 against the Kazakh Zhalgas Zhumagulov, in New Jersey, in the United States. The amapaense is newly hired by the organization after his good performance in the Contender Series, in September 2022.
According to the amapaense, the opponent was already expected, but is preparing to continue his invincibility. “He’s a good opponent and it’s going to be a good fight. He’s coming off a loss, but he’s been doing well in the UFC with seven fights. He’s a well experienced guy. I’m well prepared physically and mentally. I just need to adjust a few things and I’ll be ready for battle”, he said in an interview with News of Brazil.
The amapaense explains that in addition to training for this great debut, the psychological counts a lot at this moment. “I think it’s essential to perform well. This atmosphere of living in a hotel, losing weight, concentrating, not trying to think about many things that don’t add anything to you and being isolated, in concentration, has to be well worked on in the athlete’s mind”, he explained.
Rafael Estevam has a record of 11 wins, no losses and no draws, coming to the match undefeated. In addition to being invincible, he has the Shotoo Brasil and Fatality Arena titles. His opponent, Zhalgas Zhumagulov, has 14 wins and comes from three straight defeats, adding up to eight.
The fight between Rafael and Zhumagulov will be the third on the card, with the main event being between Aljamain Serling and Henry Cejudo. The match will be broadcast on UFC Fight Pass starting at 6 pm, Brazil time.
About the career
Rafael Ramos Estevam, 26 years old, is the sixth person from Amapa to participate in Utimate Fight Combate (UFC), but to reach that level he had to go through many things and one of them was leaving Macapá very young, aged 16, and going to Rio de Janeiro and consolidate himself in the fighting world.
“My father always encouraged me to do sports. When I started fighting they encouraged me and when I came to Rio it was a shock for my parents, because I was only 16 years old. I think they made the right choice and it’s working out well today,” he said.
When Rafael arrived in Rio, he went to train jiu-jitsu at Academia Nova União, where big names like José Aldo and Renan Barão train. According to him, coach Dedé Pederneiras saw the potential it had and decided to invest.
“I started training there and after a year Dedé saw that I stood out and gave me a scholarship and told me to just train. I went through several difficulties and that made me stronger and I am grateful for everything in my life and for what I am living, because it is the result of my dedication. I had a lot of merit, because people helped me and along with my willpower and persistence”, he said.
Getting to the UFC wasn’t easy, but it’s something that many dream of. Estevam explains that, to get the contract, after participating in the Contender Series, in September 2022, he had to demonstrate his value.
“I was champion of Shooto Brasil, which is the biggest fight event in Latin America, I was champion of Fatality Arena and that means a lot for an athlete. I’ve been showing my potential, my grit and my will to win like any normal person. You have to convince that you are the best, ”he said.
“You dedicate yourself your whole life and know that you can get anywhere, it’s magical and wonderful. You have to believe, have willpower and persist. I think the key word is to persist, to have the discipline that anyone can reach their goals. When I started fighting, I never imagined that I would make it to the UFC, but I planted a seed in my head that if anyone makes it, why can’t I too? Just follow the path. There may be setbacks in between, but don’t give up”, concluded the athlete, as a way of encouraging people who are starting out in the world of fighting.
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