At the UFC 308 press conference in Abu Dhabi last October, undefeated fighter Dorobshokh Nabotov asked Dana White for a chance in the octagon. Ultimately, it was Matheus Camilo who seized the moment and earned a contract with the promotion instead.
Rather than granting Nabotov a spot on Dana White`s Contender Series, White arranged a fight for him at Z Fight Night in South Korea, a promotion founded by former UFC title challenger “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung. Watching from home with Matt Serra and Din Thomas, White witnessed Camilo dominate the December bout against Nabotov, effectively using calf kicks and submission attempts to secure a victory by decision.
Reflecting on the situation, White commented on an episode of “Lookin` For A Fight”: “Listen, this happens a lot. You get your opportunity to have your moment, where the world gets to see you, all this hype around him because he was at the press conference and everybody reported on it, and Matheus was the guy that came in and absolutely stole his moment from him.”
Camilo currently holds a professional record of 9-2. His first appearance in the UFC APEX is scheduled for this Saturday against Gabe Green at UFC Vegas 106.
“It was a show built for the guy, the media around him with the hype,” Camilo shared with MMA Fighting. “It was a huge opportunity for me. I was watching when he asked Dana [at the press conference] and never imagined I would fight him. I was training in Vegas when they called me to fight, and I said absolutely yes. It was an opportunity to change my life.”
Despite winning by decision, Camilo admitted he initially thought failing to secure a finish might cost him a UFC contract. However, footage from White`s vlog revealed the UFC CEO`s excitement regarding his performance. At one point, due to Nabotov`s lack of offense, it seemed White was favoring the 24-year-old Brazilian fighter.
Via video conference after the fight, White told Camilo: “Matheus, you looked unbelievable. You were definitely more well-rounded. You started chopping that leg in the first round, damaged it, and pretty much, in our opinion, controlled the fight the rest of the night.”
White continued his praise: “As young as you are, 23 years old [at the time], you really impressed us tonight. Congratulations kid, you’re getting in the UFC. You flew over there to Korea, this guy was the A-side of this thing, all the hype behind him, and you took the opportunity and made the most of it. And you looked f*cking great tonight, so congratulations.”
“I was very emotional,” Camilo said. “I was a bit apprehensive [White wouldn’t sign me] because the fight didn’t go as I wanted. I never imagined he would try to hold me down the entire time. I wanted a war, an absolute banger, but it turned out different. But I was able to hurt him and was surprised when Dana said I was getting signed.”
Following the fight, Camilo returned to Las Vegas, where he lives and trains, and awaited the call for his octagon debut. The upcoming fight against Green takes place almost exactly five years after the death of his father, a pivotal supporter from the beginning of his journey.
Camilo recalled: “My dad was always very strict with me. At first he said I would only be able to leave Acre to train at Nova Uniao after I finished high school, and then there was no turning back. It was all good at first, I was very happy, but it all changed when the [COVID-19] pandemic hit. That’s when my father got sick and we lost him. He was my biggest supporter. He was there for me. When he passed away, that’s when my real fight began, if that’s what I really wanted, if I was willing to be away from my family this entire time. That’s when the desert began, and I’m still here.”
Though Camilo considered quitting the sport, his mother encouraged him not to give up. She sent him back to Rio de Janeiro to train with his idol Jose Aldo, before he later moved to Las Vegas seeking greater opportunities. His father passed away on May 15, 2020, and Camilo is now entering his first official week as a UFC fighter.
“I get flashbacks from five years ago, when I was crying and lost,” Camilo stated, “And now I’m here to make my UFC debut, which was a dream for him, a dream for me. I’m very grateful for this moment.”
Gabe Green, Camilo’s initial octagon opponent, holds a 2-3 record within the promotion, with losses to notable fighters like Ian Machado Garry, Bryan Battle, and Daniel Rodriguez. Given Green`s experience at a high level, Camilo anticipates a challenging night in the cage.
“I know I’ll only have tough fights in the UFC, it will always be a challenge,” Camilo affirmed. “I’m ready for this. This is what I’ve always wanted, so I wanna make the most of this moment. He’s a tough fighter, moving down from welterweight, and has some experience in the UFC, so I feel honored to be sharing the cage with this guy. It’s going to be a fun fight because he’s the type of fighter that always walks forward and likes to brawl, just like me. And I’m going there to finish this fight, brother. I’m very hungry.”
