Nikolas Motta opens up about canceled fights and promises an exciting duel at UFC Las Vegas 75

Nikolas Motta in victory in the UFC (Photo: Instagram/Nikolasmotta)

First Brazilian in action on the main card of the UFC Las Vegas 75, this Saturday (17), when he faces Mexican Manuel Torres, Nikolas Motta seeks to score his second consecutive victory in Ultimate and get rid of once and for all the 'ghost' of fight cancellations that has been haunting him throughout his career in the organization.

Signed through the 2020 Contender Series season, Nikolas Motta He has already had four cancellations and only two fights in the UFC. In an exclusive interview with SUPER FIGHTS, the lightweight (up to 70,3kg) from Minas Gerais opened up about the situation and also spoke about other subjects, such as the imminent 'war' against Manuel Torres and some targets for the future in the organization.

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“These cancellations were very difficult. Very difficult indeed. I felt bad, man. When I lost in my UFC debut I didn't feel as bad as when I canceled and had to leave the fights. This last one was quite stressful. I didn't want it to be cancelled, but my coaches explained to me several times why I had to leave the fight. It was f***ing, I was stressed. One day I even got into an argument with one of my best friends at the gym. I was really stressed, but then I tried to get it into my head and I even wrote here on the wall that something better is about to happen, to believe and be grateful for every day, and this fight against Manuel Torres appeared”, said Nikolas.

Promise of an exciting fight against Manuel Torres:

“I think it’s a great fight for both me and him. It's definitely going to be a tough fight, because we both have a lot of knockouts in the first round. We're not those guys who run away from the fight. We really fight. If I weren't fighting, I wouldn't miss watching this fight at all.”

Desire to face Paddy Pimblett in the future:

“I know it's difficult, because everyone wants to fight him. I made a comment on his Instagram saying that if he came back next year, he would come back obese, weighing 200kg. He saw the comment and responded to me, saying that he would still come back and teach. I'm glad I caught his attention. It's something I have to talk about. If you ask me the names of who I would like to face, he (Paddy Pimblett) is one of them, but I know there’s no point in asking too much for him, because everyone wants to fight him.”

Rematch with Jim Miller:

“I really wanted a rematch with Jim Miller, because it was f***ing, my debut. Everyone told me that my debut in the UFC was f***ing and I didn't believe it, but I really did. I let my emotions run wild, I struggled with a torn knee ligament and he kicked me all the time there. It was my debut, fighting the guy with the most fights in the UFC. I think I can beat the Jim Miller. Sometimes the guy gets a little traumatized, but I don't. I think I learned a lot from that fight and, to be honest, I'm grateful. I matured a lot and wanted to fight him again.”

Other possible targets:

“Another guy I wanted to fight was Damir Hadzović, which would be my debut and I think it's a good fight for me and the Ignatius Bahamondes, which would also be a good fight for me, but at the same time I didn’t like his last fight because it seemed like he didn’t want to fight.”

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