UFC Fight Night 95's Godofredo Pepey says he's 'like the joker in a deck of cards'

A finalist on the debut season of “The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil,” Godofredo Pepey has turned in some scintillating performances during an eight-fight UFC run. However, at UFC Fight Night 95, Pepey looks to rebound from a disappointing recent setback.

“I believe that my loss to Darren Elkins was an unfortunate setback,” Pepey told MMAjunkie in his native Portuguese. “I hadn’t fought in over a year. I landed heavy shots and almost knocked him out. I also came close to submitting him, so I think the setback was due to being idle for so long.

“I am confident if we fought again, now that I’m active again, that he wouldn’t defeat me. I had lost my fighting rhythm. It happens.”

The UFC on FOX 20 loss to Elkins came after Pepey was sidelined for some 16 months. It also happened to be the first time in his career Pepey fought outside of his native Brazil, though the 29-year-old doesn’t want to make excuses for the setback.

Still, Pepey (12-4 MMA, 4-4 UFC) returns back to Brazil to face Mike De La Torre (14-5 MMA, 2-2 UFC) at Saturday’s UFC on Fight Night 95 event, which takes place at Nilson Nelson Gymnasium in Brasilia. The fight kicks off the evening’s main card on FS1 following prelims on FS1 and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass.

Pepey insists he’s ready to compete anywhere in the world but does admit fighting in Brazil will likely give him a little something extra on fight night.

“To me, it doesn’t matter if I fight in Brazil or overseas,” Pepey said. “Of course, the fan support is completely different in Brazil. It’s much better to have the fans’ full support. I hope they give that extra boost.”

According to the oddsmakers’ Pepey is a slight favorite in the contest. However, he’s not taking anything for granted against a gritty De La Torre.

“Mike De La Torre is a very good fighter,” Pepey said. “He’s a boxer with good takedown defense. But my strategy has been put together, my training camp done, and I’m back to my fight rhythm. He won’t stop me.

“I’m training everywhere – muay Thai, boxing, wrestling, and jiu-jitsu. But I’m like a joker – I’m unpredictable. I can catch him at any moment.”

Pepey, who boasted a three-fight winning streak that included three first-round finishes prior to his setback against Elkins, believes the fight with De La Torre will provide him an opportunity to launch another run. And this time, he plans on riding it far up the featherweight rankings.

“Without a doubt, I will stand out in my division,” Pepey said. “The Elkins loss was a bump in the road.

“I have the potential to defeat anyone in my weight class. Anyone in the top-10 could lose to me. MMA is a complete sport. I’m a complete athlete. I expect to surprise a lot of people – not just De La Torre, but fighters in the top-10.”

If Pepey can get back to the form that saw him mow down Andre Fili, Dashon Johnson and Noad Lahat, he could be one to watch at 145 pounds. But he’ll need to start on Saturday night, and Pepey knows what needs to happen.

“My preparation has been intense,” Pepey said. “I’ve been sparring with training partners with the same build as Mike. They’re doing what he does. I’m very focused. Without a doubt, this will be a victory for Brazil. My arm will be raised.

“I’m like the joker in a deck of cards. I’m going to make some bad things happen. I’m going to war.”

For more on UFC Fight Night 95, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

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