UFC flyweight Matheus Nicolau plans to honor the late MMA veteran Guilherme “Bomba” Vasconcelos at UFC Vegas 99 by defeating Asu Almabayev, while emphasizing the importance of mental health awareness, especially among men.
The MMA world was shaken on Tuesday. Guilherme “Bomba” Vasconcelos, a veteran of both UFC and Bellator, passed away. This weekend at UFC Vegas 99 in Las Vegas, Matheus Nicolau plans to honor him.
Both fighters hail from Belo Horizonte. Nicolau learned of the “devastating” news while checking into his hotel in Las Vegas. It hit him hard.
“I didn’t talk to him every day,” Nicolau shared with MMA Fighting. “But I liked him a lot.” They shared a common path in MMA. Vasconcelos, older and already a black belt, had always been kind to him.
The jiu-jitsu community in Belo Horizonte is tight-knit. Nicolau and Vasconcelos had many mutual friends. Just last month, they met at the Worlds Master.
The news was crushing for Nicolau. “He helped so many people just by being himself,” he reflected. “He inspired others, including me.”
While the cause of death remains unknown, Nicolau emphasized mental health awareness. Especially among men. “We need to open up with friends,” he stressed.
Nicolau sent a heartfelt text to a friend: “Life’s crazy, but I’m here for you.” It’s crucial to express love and support to those we care about.
“We can’t ignore it,” he continued. “Everyone has someone who loves them deeply.” Men often struggle to show vulnerability. But true strength lies in acknowledging weakness.
Nicolau vowed to honor Vasconcelos by giving his all against Asu Almabayev. Initially set for August 24th, the fight was moved to October 19th, allowing Nicolau time to adjust to life in the U.S., training with Team Oyama in California.
“I don’t like saying I left a comfort zone,” Nicolau remarked. “It implies I wasn’t trying before.” The move challenged him in new ways, pushing him to his limits.
Nicolau was climbing the division ranks with four consecutive UFC wins. Victories over Manel Kape and Matt Schnell were highlights. Yet losses to Brandon Royval and Alex Perez stalled his momentum.
His opponent, Almabayev, boasts an impressive record: undefeated in three UFC bouts and 20-2 overall.
“I’ll beat Asu however I must,” declared Nicolau confidently. Whether by submission or knockout, he’s ready for anything. His preparation fuels his confidence heading into the fight.