UFC on FOX 10's Hugo Viana: 'The hand that strikes is also the hand that heals'

Hugo Viana probably knows a body’s weak points better than most fighters. As a physical therapist, he sees the damage that pressure and stress bring to patients.

But Viana (7-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC), who meets bantamweight Junior Hernandez (13-5 MMA, 0-1 UFC) on Saturday in a FOX Sports 1-televised preliminary-card bout at UFC on FOX 10, doesn’t necessarily believe this quality makes him a better fighter.

“A spot used in healing isn’t necessarily the best target,” he told MMAjunkie. “Of course, we seek the most painful and effective spots. Working as a therapist does help when it comes to precision. Precision is crucial in reaching the right target, when either healing or causing damage.”

Viana embraces a life filled with both and said it makes him a better human being.

“It’s paradoxical,” he told MMAjunkie. “The hand that strikes is also the hand that heals. I enjoy working with my hands, performing physical therapy and promoting my patients’ wellbeing. It’s also good for my wellbeing.

“I’m a big fan of fighting, and I think both sides are very connected. Great martial artist have always been great healers too. I seek to follow in that tradition.”

Viana’s patients include the UFC’s Fabio Maldonado and Daniel Sarafian. When not in practice, he trains with the Champion Team in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, and travels to Sao Paulo to work on his wrestling.

The work is steady for the fighter, but in the octagon, you’re always a loss away from the regional circuit.

Now 31 years old, Viana believes he’s evolving toward his goal of finding success in the UFC. After a setback against T.J. Dillashaw at UFC on FOX 7, which was his first professional defeat, he said he’s found the mindset needed to bounce back.

“I’m becoming more mature and I’m more at peace when dealing with adversity,” he said. “I’m more serene and balanced now. I always seek to have a balanced personal and professional life. It’s rewarding to see the positive feedback from my patients and my fans. This is a great time in my life.”

Viana first appeared on “The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil,” where he was defeated in the reality show’s semifinals. He rebounded with a first-round knockout of Reuben Duran at The Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale before the loss to Dillashaw.

“I was able to deal with my defeat in a positive manner,” he said. “It’s not the sort of thing that affects my ego or bothers me. Some victories are bad, and some losses are good. Life is full of moments like that. Sometimes a defeat is good because it helps us stay grounded and put things in perspective. By comparison, sometimes victories put us up on a high pedestal that doesn’t reflect reality.”

Being acquainted with reality means Viana knows the stakes of his fight against Hernandez, who stumbled in his UFC debut against Lucas Martins.

“Since I’m coming off a loss, it’s an important time in my career,” Viana said. “I have to win this fight. But I remain tranquil. I’ll be there to put on a show and display my martial arts.”

For the latest on UFC on FOX 10, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.