“Essa e a minha hora, tudo vai dar certo!” (“This is my hour. Everything will work out!”) These are the words of a man seeking redemption.
Brazilian born Australian lightweight, Bernardo ‘Trekko’ Magalhaes, went into his UFC debut in February with high hopes.
Riding a five fight win streak and with an 11-1 record, he hoped to use his Brazilian Jujitsu to control dangerous striker, Tim Means.
Unfortunately as we see week after week in the UFC, things don’t always go to plan.
Trekko was unable to take the American down to the ground, and as a result, was battered by Mean’s superior reach and kickboxing. He was knocked down in the second round and lost by a unanimous decision.
It was not the entry into the UFC he had dreamed of.
However this weekend at UFC on FX 3, Bernardo Trekko gets a second shot at his dream of rising to the top echelons of the UFC, when he faces American lightweight, Henry Martinez (8-2).
No fighter likes the taste of defeat, and the loss to Means has undoubtedly motivated Trekko to train harder for his second shot at his dream.
Fighting out of TP Gym in Cronulla, Magalhaes says he is in the best condition of his life.
“I’m really well prepared for this fight. Everything is going perfect this time. Now, it is my time”
If redeeming his first loss does not motivate the Trekko, then keeping his UFC dream alive will be at the forefront of his mind.
While he has a four fight contract with the UFC, it is hard to see him launching an assault at the top, or even middle of the lightweight division after losing his first two fights with the company. Far bigger names than him have been dropped after two only losses.
If Bernardo Trekko wants to step up to the next level, he must do it now.
This win will not come easily though.
This weekend the man he faces will be just as hungry for a win, having gone through the same experience of losing a UFC debut fight by decision.
While Trekko is a jujitsu specialist, Martinez is an all-round MMA fighter with four submissions, two TKOs and two decision victories to his name.
Fighting out of Greg Jackson’s gym in New Mexico; the 29-year-old American will go into the fight with a well thought out strategy, impeccable conditioning and the knowledge he has trained next to fighters such as lightweight champ Jon Jones, or interim welterweight champ Carlos Condit.
This fight will undoubtedly be the biggest challenge Magalhaes has faced in his career.
If Trekko cannot drag Martinez down and control the fight on the floor, Martinez’s striking could make it a long night.
Regardless of the result this weekend, but particularly if his hand isn’t raised, Trekko would be wise to consider a drop to featherweight. Against slightly smaller opposition, a potential strength advantage would complement his controlling jujitsu style well.
The idea is not too far out of left field either. Before accepting the fight with Martinez at lightweight Trekko mentioned the idea on Twitter.
That discussion will continue after the weekend though. Switching weight classes is the furthest thing from Magalhaes mind at the moment.
Right now all Trekko wants is to redeem his loss with a resounding victory.
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