André Fialho UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter/@UFC
André Fialho is preparing for one of the most important fights of his career. The Portuguese takes action at UFC Vegas 79, an event that takes place next Saturday (23/9), when he faces Tim means on the preliminary card.
André, who gained notoriety among Brazilian fans for his quality in striking, had to follow a long path before reaching the UFC. He surpassed limits that not even an opponent in the octagon would be able to compare to.
He overcame addiction, violence and lack of discipline. O SUPER FIGHTS, now, presents a special about the welterweight path (up to 77kg.).
The beginning of the career
Fialho started training boxing with his father when he was a child, but only became interested in MMA when he was 18. He dropped out of school to dedicate himself to the sport and won regional and national boxing titles, as well as winning an MMA tournament with three knockouts in one night.
See too
André moved to the United States to try to get on the reality show The Ultimate Fighter, but ended up being hired directly by the UFC.
The Portuguese is known for his aggressive style and his power in punches. He has 13 knockout wins in his professional record of 16 wins and seven losses.
He trains on the Sanford MMA team, alongside names like Gilbert Burns, Michael chandler e Robbie Lawler. His inspiration is the best version of himself, but he also admires his father, who taught him the art of boxing.
Fialho is 29 years old and is from Cascais, Portugal. He is the first fighter born in Portugal to reach the UFC and, despite the period of three consecutive defeats, he is still hoping to recover towards his dream of being a protagonist in the world.
https://twitter.com/andrefialhojr1/status/1516389123891908608
André Fialho's difficult trajectory
André Fialho He had a difficult childhood, marked by family problems and involvement with drugs and crime. He was arrested at the age of 16 for robbery and assault, in addition to saying he was addicted to marijuana in the past, but managed to rehabilitate himself thanks to boxing, which he learned from his father, a former boxer who founded a gym in 2019.
“My focus was on marijuana. He wasn't an MMA professional. Basically I thought it was training, fighting and vacation. I didn’t dedicate myself or have discipline”, recalled Fialho in an interview with Combate.
Fialho also played football, but fell in love with MMA after meeting a coach in the Algarve during his holidays. He decided to drop out of school and dedicate himself to the sport, dreaming of making it to the UFC. The fighter began his professional MMA career in 2014, in Europe, and won his first six fights by knockout or submission.
In 2016, he signed with Bellator, one of the biggest MMA organizations in the world, and had five fights for the company, winning four and losing one. Three years later, André moved to the United States and participated in events such as PFL, LFA and XMMA.
https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1658505128733990913
The opportunity to join the UFC
In January 2021, Fialho received the opportunity to fight for the UFC. He debuted against the Brazilian Michael Pereira, but lost by unanimous decision in a three-round war.
Grateful for the opportunity and lessons. I will learn, grow, make changes and I will be back. @ufc pic.twitter.com/tSqF2VC0cn
— André Fialho (@andrefialhojr1) January 23, 2022
Since then, he has had five more fights for the UFC, recording two wins and three losses. His last fight was in May 2023, when he was knocked out by Joaquin buckley in the second round.
Now, the challenge is to come face to face with the veteran Tim means. The dream is still alive, but it directly depends on winning again. The way is boxing. Is it time for redemption?
You need login To comment.