How UFC Fight Night 80's Johnny Eduardo just got two years younger

Johnny Eduardo

Johnny Eduardo has competed just three times in his four years in the UFC. At 37, that might be a troubling stat suggesting the end is near. But how about 35?

“I’m 35, but my fight records say I’m 37,” Eduardo told MMAjunkie. “It’s been like that for some time, even on the UFC site. I’m only 35. My birthdate is Aug. 3, 1980.”

The Brazilian bantamweight began his fighting career in 1996, when he was just 16 years old. Therein lies the problem with his recorded age, Eduardo said, as he had to lie to make his way into the cage.

“My career started at age 16; that’s when I went to live at the Boxe Thai academy and train under the late master Luiz Alves,” Eduardo said. “He started training me to be a good citizen, within a martial arts environment. It molded my future.

“I had my first professional fight at 16. I wasn’t old enough, but my registration was modified so I could participate. Ever since I’ve stayed on the path of martial arts, trying to making a living.”

Eduardo came to the UFC in 2011 on the strength of an 11-fight winning streak but fell short in a three-round decision to Raphael Assuncao. He’s since bounced back with wins over Jeff Curran in 2012 and Eddie Wineland in 2014, holding a spot in the Nos Energy Drink MMA bantamweight rankings along the way, but the inconsistency of his appearances has seen him slip out of that position.

“I’m very happy with the visibility and recognition I’ve received more recently,” Eduardo said. “My debut wasn’t very good. I lost a decision to Raphael Assuncao, who today is one of the top-ranked fighters in our weight class. But that’s in the past now. The biggest challenge is to remain employed in the UFC. It’s always been my focus.

“Against Eddie Wineland, more recently, I fought with a shoulder injury. Thankfully, I beat Wineland and underwent surgery right after that. That surgery caused me to stop training for some time. But I’ve been at full strength for some time now.”

Eduardo (27-9 MMA, 2-1 UFC) is going to need to be at full strength for his next assignment, as he takes on fast-rising prospect Aljamain Sterling (11-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) at Thursday’s UFC Fight Night 80, which takes place at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. The two meet on the preliminary card of the event, which streams in its entirety on UFC Fight Pass.

“Aljamain Sterling is a very tough athlete,” Eduardo said. “He has excellent wrestling. He also has good jiu-jitsu and good striking. I feel I’m very ready for him. I trained a lot for him. I’m very focused. Wherever the fight goes, I’ll be able to beat him there, whether it’s up, down, or sideways.

“I’ve been working with the Brazilian wrestling team. I’ve had Olympic-level training partners. I’m quite ready for him.”

It’s a big test for Eduardo, at any age. Can the established veteran hold off the young prospect? Can the Brazilian striker make a big splash and help make up for time lost?

Time will tell.

“I constantly seek to evolve in the sport,” Eduardo said. “But that’s not all. It’s necessary to always be honest, respectful, and help your neighbor. It’s crucial to remain humble.

“I’m looking forward to facing not only Sterling, but anyone else the UFC picks for me. My objective is to remain employed in the world’s biggest promotion.”

For more on UFC Fight Night 80, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.