Undefeated MMA fighter Dorobshokh Nabotov sought a UFC opportunity at a press conference, but it was Matheus Camilo who impressed Dana White with his performance at Z Fight Night, earning a UFC contract and preparing for his debut against Gabe Green.
Undefeated MMA fighter Dorobshokh Nabotov took the spotlight at the UFC 308 press conference in Abu Dhabi last October. He boldly asked Dana White for a chance to showcase his skills in the octagon. But it was Matheus Camilo who ended up stealing the show, securing a contract with the promotion.
Instead of a shot at Dana White’s Contender Series, Nabotov got a match at Z Fight Night in South Korea. This promotion was founded by former UFC title challenger "The Korean Zombie," Chan Sung Jung. Watching from home, Dana White, alongside Matt Serra and Din Thomas, saw Camilo shine with slick calf kicks and submission attempts, claiming victory by decision in December.
“Listen, this happens a lot,” White remarked on an episode of Lookin’ For A Fight. “You get your moment, all this hype, and Matheus came in and stole it from him.”
Camilo, now 9-2 as a professional, is set to face 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. He never imagined he’d fight Nabotov, but when the call came, he seized the chance.
Winning by decision, Camilo feared not finishing the fight might cost him a UFC contract. However, White’s excitement was evident in his vlog. It seemed like White was rooting for the young Brazilian due to Nabotov’s lack of offense.
“Matheus, you looked unbelievable,” White told Camilo via video conference. “You controlled the fight, and you’re getting in the UFC.”
At just 23, Camilo impressed the UFC brass. “Congratulations kid, you’re getting in the UFC. You flew to Korea, took the opportunity, and looked great tonight.”
Reflecting on the fight, Camilo admitted he was emotional. He hadn’t expected Nabotov to try holding him down the entire time. “I wanted a war,” he said, “but it turned out different.”
Returning to Las Vegas, Camilo awaited his octagon debut. The fight with Green comes five years after his father’s passing, who was his biggest supporter.
“My dad was strict,” Camilo recalled. “He insisted I finish high school before training at Nova Uniao. When the pandemic hit, he got sick, and we lost him. That’s when my real fight began.”
Camilo almost quit, but his mother encouraged him to continue. She sent him to Rio to train with his idol Jose Aldo, eventually leading him to Las Vegas.
“I get flashbacks from five years ago,” Camilo said. “Now I’m here to make my UFC debut, a dream for both me and my dad.”
Green, his first octagon opponent, has a 2-3 UFC record, with losses to notable fighters. Camilo knows it won’t be easy.
“I’m ready for this,” Camilo declared. “I want to make the most of this moment. Green is a tough fighter, and I feel honored to share the cage with him. It’s going to be a fun fight. I’m hungry.”