Former UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria is in London for the UFC Fight Night event this Saturday. Brazilian lightweight Kaue Fernandes hopes to deliver a shocking performance that will grab Topuria’s attention.
Fernandes is set to fight Guram Kutateladze on the preliminary card at the O2 Arena. He believes that defeating Kutateladze, who is a friend of Georgian MMA stars Ilia Topuria and Merab Dvalishvili, could generate significant buzz and create interesting storylines for his future.
Fernandes mentioned considering the possibility of Dvalishvili and Topuria being present in Kutateladze’s corner during the fight. He joked about the potential scenario where Topuria might be upset by his friend’s loss, leading to a future rivalry. Fernandes believes that Kutateladze’s connections to prominent fighters already add more excitement to their matchup.
Topuria previously held the 145-pound championship but has decided to move up to lightweight, Fernandes’ weight class, with aspirations of challenging Islam Makhachev for the title. The UFC has not yet announced Topuria’s debut date or first opponent in the lightweight division.
Fernandes acknowledged that Kutateladze already has some hype surrounding him, although not extensive. He explained that a close decision victory over Kutateladze might not significantly elevate his profile. However, a knockout win would create considerable hype. Fernandes views this fight as a prime opportunity to showcase his abilities and position himself for bigger opportunities in the future. He believes he possesses the necessary skills but needs to demonstrate them in the octagon.
Fernandes, representing Nova Uniao, experienced a narrow split decision loss to Marc Diakiese in his UFC debut in 2023. He bounced back with a first-round knockout victory against Mohammad Yahya in Abu Dhabi. Fernandes states that competing in hostile environments motivates him.
Fernandes expressed that he feels more energized when fighting away from his home territory. He mentioned his previous fight in Abu Dhabi against a local fighter as an example. He is excited about competing in London, a city he has always dreamed of visiting, and feels a surge of energy from fighting there, which he believes makes him more powerful.
Fernandes feels more confident entering this fight after a win compared to his previous bout, where he was coming off a loss. He stated that finishing Yahya boosted his confidence in his striking power, knowing that his punches can inflict significant damage. He hopes his performance will earn him a $50,000 bonus.
Fernandes noted that Kutateladze utilized more grappling than striking in his last fight, despite having a striking background. He observed that Kutateladze tends to resort to grappling when he feels threatened on his feet, which Fernandes considers a common tactic among fighters. Fernandes suggests he is also prepared to grapple if needed, although he anticipates a stand-up fight.
