PFL: Daytona's Joao Zeferino encouraged by thought of winning tourney with big prize money in 2018

Five fights into a career with WSOF – including three in one night – Joao Zeferino is encouraged about what his future holds now that the promotion is morphing into the Professional Fighters League.

Zeferino (21-8) fights tonight at PFL: Daytona against fellow welterweight Herman Terrado (14-3-1). It’s the debut event for the newly launched PFL, a rebranded promotion formerly known as WSOF. The card, which serves as one of a series of events that precede the promotion’s debut season in 2018, airs tonight on NBCSN from Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla.

“It’s true that the promotion’s format and name have changed,” Zeferino, from Brazil, told MMAjunkie. “But we’ll see how it plays out over the next few months. I’m still dealing with the same people. But this is all very promising. I’m very excited and honored to participate in the first Professional Fighters League card.”

Zeferino, who went 3-2 for WSOF, said going elsewhere was a possibility for him. But he likes the way the PFL will be formatted – and the potential for a proposed $1 million prize if he wins a tournament.

“It was the best choice for me,” he said. “In addition to the bigger prizes next year, and the monthly salary, I’ve always been very well treated by the team at WSOF – Carlos Silva and Ray Sefo. I renewed my contract and I’ll remain with the organization.”

In 2015, Zeferino fought in the one-night lightweight tournament at WSOF 25 and got past Brian Foster and Jorge Patino with heel hooks to get to the final. But there, he had to fight Foster again, despite beating him in the first round of the tourney, and was knocked out in the second round.

Still, he said that experience was huge for him, perhaps moreso than his two UFC fights in 2013.

“My career has always been about reaching the next level,” he said. “When I was in the UFC, I found myself in a comfort zone as far as training. I needed to evolve, so I set about to do so – so much so, that I won the next seven fights. The WSOF tournament with three fights in one night helped bring my name to the forefront. Even though I lost the final, it was an excellent night. Immediately after, I fought Jon Fitch. It was one weight class above, but I make no excuses (for that loss). I was able to see where I could further improve so I could reach the apex of my career. I did improve, and I was able to show some of that when I defeated Jason High. I keep working on myself, addressing any holes in my game, and further strengthening my best attributes.”

Zeferino will be hoping that strengthening pays off against Terrado, a Strikeforce and Bellator veteran who has all 14 of his wins by stoppage.

“We’ve been studying Herman Terrado,” he said. “He’s a dangerous guy with a good overhand. He comes on strong during the first round. But I think because he has too much muscle, his performance declines in later rounds. I’ll exploit the gaps I see in his game. Sure, he fought at Bellator before, but he’s never beat an opponent of my caliber, or of the fighters I’ve fought and beat.”

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