Australia may be a small fish within the global MMA sea but that hasn’t stopped us producing our share of sharks.
The most recent to be released into the wild is Brazilian-Australian lightweight, Bernardo ‘Trekko’ Magalhaes, who makes his UFC debut this Thursday (Australian Time) on UFC on Fuel TV: Sanchez vs. Ellenberger.
Trekko began his MMA journey in Rio De Janeiro 16 years ago when he took up Brazilian Jujitsu at the tender age of 14.
As he progressed through the ranks, earning a BJJ black belt in the process, he began helping his training partners prepare for MMA fights; sparing with them and slowly honing his all-round skills.
A move to Australia five years ago was a catalyst for his transition into professional fighting.
“I moved to Australia for the opportunity to open my own gym and start training full time.” Trekko said, in an exclusive interview with The Roar.
“I moved here five years ago to start fighting and have just been training hard ever since. My goal has always been the UFC but Australia was a great place to start.”
Trekko won that first fight by decision and, using his finely honed BJJ skills, quickly moved up through the ranks of Australia MMA.
Over five years he has gone 11-1, eventually winning the lightweight belt for Cage Fighting Championships, Australia’s premier MMA Promotion.
Trekko has also successfully developed his business. He co-owns TP Gym, an MMA and BJJ training centre in Carringbah, Sydney where he coaches and trains full-time.
He has defended his CFC belt for over a year and is on a five fight winning streak, but by his own admission, he now has bigger fish fry in the UFC.
“It’s the biggest show in the world; all the best fighters are there so it is where I want to succeeded.”
Through no fault of his own the lead up to this fight has been a mixed bag for Trekko.
He says he has been working extremely hard with his team at TP Fight Team and he even engaged in a professional boxing fight last October in an attempt to strengthen his stand up skills.
He travelled over to America on the 23rd of January where he has been preparing his body for his biggest challenge so far.
“I’m in the best shape of my life; I’ve been training really hard for this fight.”
However, due to contractual disputes his opponent had to be changed just weeks from his bout.
Instead of fighting up and coming kickboxer, Yoislandy Izquierdo, Trekko will face fellow UFC debutant, American wrestler, Tim ‘Dirty Bird’ Means.
Means is 16-3-1 with 12 TKO’s and is known for having a dangerous ground game, but ‘Treko’ is still confident he will have his hand raised.
“I’m going to put constant pressure on him, he won’t be able to keep up with me on the ground. I’ve trained with the Nogeria brothers in Brazil and know I have the skill to control him.”
“My coaches and I have been working on a game plan that we know can get us the win.”
Trekko enters the UFC at the bottom of the ladder but he knows what you have to do to reach the top of the sport.
“You’ve gotta give Dana something. I’m going to finish this one, submission, punches, I don’t care, it’s going to end early.”
Trekko has a four fight contract with the UFC and said if all goes well he hopes to represent his adopted home country at the UFC’s first ever visit to Brisbane, later this year.
“I’d love to come out and fight in front of a home crowd and get a win for us.”
Against Tim Means and with the most important people in MMA watching, Trekko is facing his biggest challenge ever, but a big win could mean Australia has a new UFC prospect to cheer on.
The fight will be broadcast on ONE from 12pm on Thursday.
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