Tanquinho has had no trouble conquering the world of sport jiu-jitsu but he’s looking to consolidate that success with MMA. His UFC debut hasn’t gone according to plan but he’s looking to rectify that on the next chance he gets – against Frankie Saenz in Phoenix, Arizona on the 15th of January 2017.
The event will be headlined by a bjj great – B.J. Penn who will be making his long awaited comeback into the octagon against Yair Rodriguez. Penn was originally scheduled to have his first fight out of retirement in April against another opponent but, that was scrubbed after he was suspended six months by USADA for out of competition IV use. Penn was ready to go a again in October but an injury forced him out.
Tanquinho talked to agfight saying that a negative result in the fight could mean the end of the line for his UFC career, and therefore will face the next fight as life and death:
“I’m going in to kill or die. I always come in like this in all my fights, and I really think I’m going to have that pressure, yes, because he lost in the last two fights and I lost in my debut. I do not think either of us wants to lose, but if we lose, ours will be on the line. We may not have another chance. Maybe we can do the fight of the night and both of us will continue in the UFC. […] He certainly does have an advantage in MMA fights experience, but I believe I take an advantage in fights overall. Frankie’s a really tough guy, never been finalized. He’s faced a lot of good guys, but I do not think he’s ever faced anyone with the level of ground I have, “
Tanquinho has admitted his desire to win the UFC’s bantamweight title:
“I do not stipulate a time, but it’s obvious that I want to be the category champion. I go as I’m feeling, the way my body responds. For now I feel good, I feel great. It’s not something I think now, for one or two fights, none of that. But I will work to continue winning and soon have the chance to play the belt. An hour will come that chance, I just want to fight well and win my fights, ”
