UFC 169's Alan Patrick 'armed to the teeth, ready for a three-round bloodletting'

Brazilian lightweight Alan Patrick is seeing snow for the first time on the chilly East Coast as he prepares to make his octagon return at UFC 169.

“I’ve invested in some winter coats,” Patrick, who hails from the rainforest city of Manaus, told MMAjunkie. “I’ll be going from [104 degrees] all the way to the North American ice.”

It’s at Newark N.J.’s Prudential Center where Patrick will get another chance to show UFC fans why he’s a hot commodity at 155 pounds. A training partner of current middleweight standout Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, he signed with the UFC this past summer after giving up the Bitetti Combat title.

After earning a first-round TKO win in his octagon debut this past October, Patrick (11-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) remains undefeated as an MMA fighter. At UFC Fight Night 29, he made short work of Garrett Whitely while throwing wild punches until landing an uppercut and barrage on the mat.

The 30-year-old up-and-comer meets veteran striker John Makdessi (12-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) on the final bout of the FOX Sports 1-televised prelims before pay-per-view main-card bouts. Makdessi has won his past three inside the cage, which included a first-round knockout of Brazilian Renee Forte at UFC 165.

“I think it’s great that I’m facing John,” Patrick said. “He’s well-ranked, coming off three wins. I prepared very well for this bout, with coach Josuel Distak and Souza. I guarantee that I’ll be showing up armed to the teeth, ready for a three-round bloodletting.”

When he’s on his feet, Makdessi usually is the one making others bleed. But Patrick, who boasts four career wins by knockout and two via submission, hints the fight won’t entirely be a kickboxing match.

“Like ‘Jacare’ tells me, ‘Don’t end up forgetting what you do best,’” he said. “So I’m focused on myself. My strongest suit is his weakest: the ground. Let’s see what happens if we hit the ground.”

Patrick said he’s “reached a new level” in his life since signing with the UFC and is inspired to make a run for the lightweight belt after battling early hardships.

“I’ll fight until I am dead,” he said. “If you break my arm, I’ll fight with the other one. If you break my leg, I’ll keep on attacking. As long as I live, I’ll be attempting to win by any means possible.

“Like many Brazilians, I endured much difficulty. I come from an impoverished family. I’ve lived on the streets. I even ate trash as a child. But I was able to turn my life around. So I intend to keep winning and winning. That’s all.”

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