W. Patolino (photo) is looking for his first victory in Ultimate. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
Runner-up in the second edition of TUF Brazil, Willian Patolino will finally return to the most famous octagon in the world. His return will be at UFC 168, in Las Vegas, on December 28th, on the same card as Anderson Silva will try to regain the belt Chris Weidman. In the welterweight category (up to 77kg), the PEJOR athlete will face the experienced American Bobby Voelker, who is not going through a good phase in the organization.
On the afternoon of last Wednesday, the 2nd, Patolino received a call from Ed Soares, his manager, confirming the duel against Voelker at UFC 168, exactly as he had requested. The news didn't come as such a big surprise, but it was a dream come true for the Rio native. He says that fighting on a card with “Spider” is more than he could have imagined.
“In fact, I was already expecting to fight at this event, I had asked my manager to speak to the organization I wanted to fight at soon. A while passed and Ed called to collect. Joe Silva told him to rest assured that he hadn't forgotten his boy, in this case me (laughs). When it was Wednesday afternoon, Ed called me to say he had finished the fight, and I was thrilled. Fighting on Anderson's card, for me, is a huge honor, the guy is my idol in the sport, I've always looked up to him. All eyes in the world will be on that day and it will be very important for me”, celebrates Patolino.
Regarding his opponent, the TUF Brazil 2 sensation knows his fighting style well and reveals that his entire team is already analyzing him through videos to study him in the best possible way. Voelker is on a two-fight losing streak within the UFC. He lost by unanimous decision to Patrick Côté in March, and to Robbie Lawler by knockout in July. As far as Patolino depends, his opponent's bitter streak will continue. The Brazilian still guarantees to have a surprise for the fans.
“I know he's a striker, but it seems like he does a little bit of everything, he's a complete athlete. He's a very experienced guy, but I'm going to go up, I'm going to make him go backwards. My PEJOR team is already analyzing everything about him and I will arrive for the fight very well prepared and knowing my opponent well. I also know that he is coming off defeats to Côté and Lawler, and now he will lose to Willian Patolino (laughs). There’s a surprise I’m saving for the guys, you’ll see it on the day,” he warns.
William Patolino He even considered the possibility of preparing for the duel in the United States, but gave up on the idea and will do his entire training camp at PEJOR, a gym located in the Tijuca neighborhood, north of Rio de Janeiro. He will have the help of his coaches Zeilton Nenzão (Boxing) and Anderson Silvério (Jiu-Jitsu), as well as team leader Pedro Silveira and muay thai specialist Washington Luiz, known as Washingthai.
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