UFC Fight Night 36's Ivan Jorge says he'll go for submissions vs. Damm

Lightweight Ivan Jorge was training to fight an opponent in Brazil’s Jungle Fight when the promoter told him there was an opening at UFC Fight Night 28. He had 10 days to get ready – and bulk up 15 pounds to take the fight at welterweight.

“I had to change my strategy and diet to be able to get ready in a hurry,” Jorge told MMAjunkie. “I had pinch myself on the day of the fight since I had been dreaming of being in the UFC for a long time. I fought very tense, very nervous, but thankfully it all worked out.”

Jorge (25-3 MMA, 1-0 UFC) unanimously outpointed Keith Wisniewski at the event, and with a successful debut under his belt, he can relax and get to work against Rodrigo Damm (11-6 MMA, 2-1 UFC), whom he faces on Saturday at UFC Fight Night 36 at Arena Jaragua in Jaragua do Sul, Santa Catarina, Brazil. The two meet on the event’s preliminary card, which streams live on UFC Fight Pass in advance of main-card bouts on FOX Sports 1.

Ample preparation clearly suits Jorge, who submitted six straight opponents via rear-naked choke prior to his octagon debut, with four of them coming in the first round.

Nicknamed “Batman” for his pointy ears, the 33-year-old Jorge was ready to give up the sport when he returned to Brazil after spending two years in Spain. But the Rio de Janeira native was convinced to continue by UFC vet Thiago Tavares, who now guides him in his adopted hometown of Florianopolis.

Damm is returning to the lightweight division after a rocky road at featherweight, where health problems forced him to bulk up. He is 4-5 with major MMA promotions such as the now-defunct World Victory Road and Strikeforce, as well as the UFC.

Jorge already knows how he wants to approach the fight.

“Rodrigo is a great athlete,” Jorge said. “I’ve been following his career for a long time. We both fought on the fourth Shooto Brazil event.

“Ultimately we are both good grapplers. Let’s see who’s better. I have a lot of faith in my jiu-jitsu and luta livre, and I’ve been training a lot of wrestling too, to avoid his takedowns. And I’ll be going for submissions. That’s what I always do.”

With 11 years of fighting experience, Jorge is approaching the time in his career where age becomes a factor. But he no longer doubts his future in the sport. For inspiration, he looks at the ageless Randy Couture, who fought well into his 40s.

Now in his natural weight class, Jorge feels he’s right where he belongs.

“As long as my body can stand it, I’ll keep on fighting,” Jorge said.

For the latest on UFC Fight Night 36, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.