Victor Hugo, a UFC fighter known for his striking skills, is set to face undefeated Farid Basharat at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi, aiming for his ninth knockout victory while expressing confidence in his ground game and takedown defense.
Victor Hugo’s journey into martial arts began at the tender age of five, inspired by watching his father, Marcio, in full-contact fights. Initially dabbling in jiu-jitsu, he soon shifted focus entirely to striking. Fast forward two decades, and Hugo’s now a UFC fighter, eagerly seeking his first knockout in the octagon.
Dubbed "Striker" for his preference for stand-up combat, Hugo is set to enter the UFC 308 cage against the undefeated Farid Basharat this Saturday in Abu Dhabi. He’s aiming to secure his ninth knockout victory in MMA. In his UFC debut, Hugo triumphed over Pedro Falcao via decision, following a submission victory over Eduardo Torres on Dana White’s Contender Series.
"I’m by far the best fighter he’s ever faced," Hugo confidently asserted in an interview with MMA Fighting. He highlighted Basharat’s previous opponent, Taylor Lapilus—a kickboxing champion lacking ground skills—as evidence. Hugo emphasized his own prowess: "My nickname says it all when it comes to striking. And I’m a black belt on the ground, brother."
"This fight tests him, not me," Hugo continued. While acknowledging Basharat’s speed and cardio, he dismissed his striking as unremarkable. "His kicks are fast but that’s it," Hugo claimed. Despite Basharat’s record showing stoppage wins, Hugo remains unimpressed. "I’ve knocked out a shitload of people," he added with confidence.
Hugo’s dreams of fighting vale tudo date back to childhood, inspired by old tapes of Royce Gracie and Mirko Cro Cop dominating their respective arenas. Now standing in the same cage that once hosted such legends is surreal for him.
A self-proclaimed fan of Cro Cop, Hugo reminisced about burning CDs and DVDs at internet cafes just to watch his idol’s fights repeatedly at home. The nostalgia is palpable.
Despite Hugo’s dismissive stance, Basharat does boast stoppage victories—one knockout and six submissions in twelve professional bouts. Yet, Hugo remains unfazed. A pro since 2011, he believes his calm demeanor rattles opponents.
"All that time has gotten me ready for this," he explained. Viewing fighting as mathematical rather than emotional, Hugo prepares meticulously for each opponent’s weaknesses. "When you’re calm up there, you can see everything your opponent is doing," he concluded with quiet assurance.