Marco Tulio desires to safe a end towards Matthieu Duclos at Tuesday’s Contender Collection occasion to make sure he’s leaving the UFC APEX with a deal this time round.
The Chute Boxe middleweight, who turns 30 years previous on Friday, first competed on Contender Collection in August 2023 towards Yousri Belgaroui, a person with previous kickboxing bouts towards the likes of Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya. Tulio finally gained in an upset, nonetheless his determination victory wasn’t sufficient to persuade White to supply a UFC contract.
“I knew I had gained the combat there,” Tulio informed MMA Combating. “And the contract, given who I had fought, I anticipated to be provided as properly. I fought somebody that everyone thought ought to be within the UFC already. If the choice went the opposite approach, I knew he can be in.
“‘Poatan’ was there, Glover Teixeira was there [to corner him], so there was loads of buzz round him. The UFC and Dana White have been posting about him. For many individuals, I used to be simply seen a punching bag there, somebody put there to lose [to Belgaroui]. I went there to indicate who I used to be, to indicate my expertise and potential, and I left with my palms raised.”
Nonetheless, Tulio’s efficiency boosted his win streak to 6 straight. He then returned to LFA in January and knocked out Cemey dos Santos to earn one other Contender Collection shot.
“I used to be tremendous relaxed for that [Belgaroui] combat,” Tulio stated. “I used to be like, ‘I’ll go for it. He’s good, however I prepare actually arduous too.’ I knew he had by no means fought anybody like me. I went for it, respecting his historical past, however with a very good technique, and was capable of finding some holes in his sport.”
Tulio stated he had “the worst pre-fight month in my life” when he confronted Belgaroui, however now returns higher ready to combat Duclos at Tuesday’s card in Las Vegas.
“He’s powerful, nevertheless it’s entire totally different story,” Tulio stated. “He’s a preferred YouTuber, you already know? It’s a special viewers however he’s very well-known, and he’s good. I’m anticipating a troublesome combat. I’m not overlooking him solely as a result of I fought a adorned kickboxer like Yousri earlier than. However I’m going for the knockout now. A knockout or a submission.”