After more than a year away, UFC Fight Night 102's Tiago Trator ready to fight month

Brazilian featherweight Tiago Trator felt he finally had his approach to fights nailed when he picked up a September 2015 win over Clay Collard. Then a broken hand ground everything to a screeching halt.

“I had been ready to fight; I am always training,” Trator told MMAjunkie in his native Portuguese. “But unfortunately, I broke my hand. That kept me away from training hard for eight months. I was still able to train without using my hand – I was still running, kicking, and practicing positions. But thankfully now I’m back. You’ll see a renewed Trator, with more experience, ready to put on a show.”

Trator made his UFC debut in July 2014, picking up a decision win over lightweight Akbarh Arreola. Despite the win, Trator elected to move down to the featherweight division in his next outing. The risk backfired, and he suffered a knockout loss to Mike De La Torre.

“Back then, I was very stubborn,” Trator admitted. “I did everything on my own – nutrition, weight cut. I had no oversight. Often we need a bad experience to learn. After I lost to Mike De La Torre, I started becoming more professional. I sought out my own doctor.

“When I fought Mike, I started my weight cut too far ahead. I trained poorly. I was afraid of not making weight. It was my first drop down to featherweight, so I did things the way I was used to. I suffered to make weight. After I lost by knockout, I found a good nutritionist and a good doctor so I could do things correctly.”

The adjustments paid off in a UFC 191 win over Collard, but Trator (20-5-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) has been sidelined since. He returns to action against newcomer Shane Burgos (7-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) at Friday’s UFC Fight Night 102 event in Albany, which takes place at Times Union Center and streams on UFC Fight Pass.

Burgos is a replacement opponent, filling in for Zubaira Tukhugov, who was pulled from the fight after he was flagged for a potential doping violation by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.

Trator said he respects his new foe but that the change didn’t affect his preparation.

“Shane Burgos is a tough opponent,” Trator said. “He’s very strong. He’s focused, and I’m sure we’ll put on a spectacle.

“The change from Zubaira Tukhugov had no effect on me. I’m very ready. Of course, I wouldn’t underestimate my adversary. I’ve watched his fights. He has great awareness, and is very dangerous. I’ll do my best to impose my game.”

And if he’s successful in those efforts, Trator hopes to quickly make up for lost time. The 29-year-old believes he’s primed for success and is ready to make some waves.

“I’m ready for war,” Trator said. I’m confident we’ll have a great fight. Only God knows who will win, but I know we’ll put on a great show for those in attendance. My training has been going great. I’m renewed. My skills are sharp, and my punches and kicks will be heavy. I’m highly confident.

“I want to fight as often as possible. I’ll fight anyone. I’ve never picked my opponent. I could fight every month. It’s how I was raised. I love to fight. I am sure that, after this victory, I’ll be ready as soon as the UFC needs me again.

For more on UFC Fight Night 102, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.