What you don't know about UFC on FX 8 main-card fighter Joao Zeferino

Joao Zeferino is a guy you’ve probably never heard of – despite the fact he’s part of tonight’s UFC on FX 8 main card. And he knows that.

After a recent card shuffle, the Brazilian-born Zeferino (13-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) signed a UFC contract and now meets fellow middleweight Rafael Natal (15-4-1 MMA, 3-2-1 UFC) in the night’s first FX-televised bout.

The bout takes place at Arena Jaragua in Jaragua do Sul, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Zeferino fights of out of nearby Florianopolis, and since he was already training for another bout and in fight shape, he was an easy pitch when managers Alex Davis and Isaias Pele talked to UFC officials about using him for the card’s open slot.

But don’t think Zeferino is merely an unknown Brazilian fighter who lucked into a UFC fight. He’s won seven straight fights, which includes a 25-second submission victory over former UFC fighter Sean Salmon. He also has history with his opponent, Natal.

“I’ve known ‘Sapo’ for some time now,” he told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). “He was doing well in Brazil before getting his UFC contract. I faced him in the Brazilian jiu-jitsu championship before, at brown belt in 2008.”

And how’d that go?

“I beat him by points in a semifinal,” he said. “He was extremely tough. He’s an excellent athlete. But I’m very confident I’ll be victorious (again).”

Zeferino also has history with a number of American fighters, thanks to his past affiliation with the Milwaukee-based Roufusport team headed by famed striker Duke Roufus. The 27-year-old Zeferino said he served as the team’s head jiu-jitsu instructor for a stint in 2009 and again in 2011, where he worked with notables such as upcoming UFC title challenger Anthony Pettis, UFC contender Erik Koch and Bellator champ Ben Askren, an Olympian and former NCAA Division I champion who really helped Zeferino strengthen his wrestling game.

“I had offers to stay longer, but here in Brazil, I have my entire family,” said the fighter, who has a girlfriend and a host of blood relatives nearby. “It’s my base. Plus I have excellent training partners and coaches here in Florianopolis. They are really high-level fighters. I do miss my time at Duke’s, but we have more-than-adequate options here.”

Zeferino currently bounces between the welterweight and middleweight divisions, where he sees advantages and disadvantages in both. Since a two-year layoff in 2009 – one he used to sharpen all aspects of his game – he hasn’t lost a fight. However, his competition has included everyone from inexperienced newcomers to well-traveled journeymen. In the UFC, and especially against Natal (who’s on a 3-1) run, he’ll face the cream of the crop.

But for a fighter nicknamed “The Brazilian Samurai,” the extra stakes provide little added pressure. He knows what to expect, and he said he’s quite ready for his first walk to the octagon.

“I’m neither too nervous or too excited,” he said. “I’m just right. I think it’s best to remain balanced. One of my great qualities is my cold demeanor. I’m very familiar with the UFC’s proceedings. Even though it’s my first fight with them, I’ve been to many of their events, both as a fan of the sport and as a cornerman of some of my training partners. I don’t feel I’ll have any pressure on me.

“Plus, the UFC is coming to my home state, Santa Catarina. I’m going to feel at home. Because that’s where I’ll be.”

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