Catching up with UFC Fight Night 45's Leonardo Mafra

After an appearance on the first season of “The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil,” Leonardo Mafra lost his UFC debut and had to work his way back to the promotion.

Now Mafra (11-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) has returned and meets Rick Story (16-8 MMA, 9-6 UFC) on Wednesday at UFC Fight Night 45 in Atlantic City, N.J., in a key bout on the FOX Sports 1-televised main card.

MMAjunkie caught up with Mafra ahead of his return to the UFC.

Since your UFC debut loss, you’ve had five straight knockout wins to earn your way back.
I had been training my entire career to eventually fight in a top promotion like the UFC. I didn’t know that the UFC would call me eventually. But I knew I needed to have victories over relevant opponents. I was always ready to fight anyone, even in the UFC. I imagined I’d get there if I kept winning. And that’s what happened.

On your road back, you beat Samuel Trindade, who is a respected and skilled fighter, and that you fought in Nitrix, one of the top promotions in Brazil. You weren’t taking the easy way back.
I think my fights raised my visibility. Ultimately what I enjoy doing is fighting. So when Rick Story’s opponent dropped out, I was ready to say yes. I always respect my opponents and the best way to respect them is to show up well prepared.

You were supposed to fight Wendell Oliveira for the Meca promotion, but that fight never happened because you got the call from the UFC. Still, can you talk about that fight, which would’ve been a tough one?
I was happy to be booked against Wendell because he’s a good athlete. Facing good athletes is the best way to improve. The tougher the battle, the more you improve. So, to get into the UFC you need hard battles. And I finished my last five opponents. But I have to give credit to those who helped me, such as my brother and my coach. I don’t work alone. But this isn’t the time for congratulations. Victories are what counts. And that Meca card ended up getting moved to another later date, as I found out. Ultimately, I only care to find out about my fight date and my opponent, so I can train. I don’t worry about anything else. And that’s how I like it.

Rick Story has been fighting top talent in the UFC since 2009, and even holds a victory over the current welterweight champion, Johny Hendricks. He may be coming off a split-decision loss, but you’ll be the underdog. Does that bother you?
I don’t see myself as an underdog. I see myself as blessed to have the opportunity to face someone as good as Rick Story. I like great opponents because no one looks bad in a great battle. I still see myself as a novice who has much to learn, and there is no one better to learn from than someone like Rick Story. It will be difficult. That’s great. It makes you stronger. There’s no downside.

What did you learn from your first UFC fight, the loss to Thiago Perpetuo?
He deserved it. I tired in the second round. I’ve been in muay Thai, jiu-jitsu and MMA bouts, and any loss is a learning opportunity. I’ve learned not to let those things happen again. I also give credit to Thiago because he’s a very good fighter. I think I’m a good fighter too, so if he beat me, credit goes to him. He earned his victory. It wasn’t my time to win.

Rick Story mostly wins by decision and he it’s possible he could hold down a striker. What do you think of that possibility?
I think a fighter’s strategy is to fight, in the best way possible. So I hope he chooses the best strategy for him. I don’t mean to be repetitive, but everything is a learning opportunity for me. Of course, it’s better to learn while winning. But for me, the best way for this fight to happen if for him to pick the strategy that works best for him. We can’t choose our opponent’s strategy. If he’s a good striker, he could be better than me. Likewise, if he’s good at grinding a victory. The best is for him to bring his A game.

Does it move you up the rankings, faster, to have impressive wins over impressive opponents?
From my view, the important thing is to put in the work. It doesn’t matter who I face. I always train to face anyone. I must be ready physically and technically. It could be Rick Story or even Georges St-Pierre. I’m not saying I’m ready for GSP. I actually have a long ways to go, but my job is to always be ready. I am merely a part of God’s plan.

For more on UFC Fight Night 45, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.