Vitor Petrino feels significantly better now that he no longer has to endure difficult weight cuts. He believes this positive change will lead to improved performance in the octagon this Saturday when he makes his heavyweight debut against Austen Lane on the main card of UFC Nashville.
The 27-year-old fighter began his UFC career strongly, securing a knockout win over Rodolfo Bellato on Dana White’s Contender Series and then achieving a 4-0 record in the promotion, including two finishes and performance bonuses. However, 2024 brought setbacks, with a quick loss to Anthony Smith despite being a significant favorite, followed by a third-round knockout defeat to Dustin Jacoby.
Following these losses, Petrino made the decision to switch from the light heavyweight (205-pound) division to heavyweight for a fresh start. He expressed regret for not making this transition sooner.
Speaking about his experience, Petrino laughed and remarked, “If I knew it would be like this, I would have done it before.” He explained the benefits: “I’m eating well, sleeping well, recovering well, taking the medication I need without worrying about the weight. It’s a whole other life. The performance is different.”
Petrino mentioned that he has naturally increased in size since joining the UFC due to improved training and supplementation, making the typical 33-pound weight cut required for the 205-pound division extremely difficult for him during fight week.
Emphasizing his commitment to heavyweight, Petrino declared, “205 never again. No doubt.” He elaborated, stating he would not return to the light heavyweight division because he felt he could no longer perform effectively there. Making the 205-pound limit was “very painful.” He concluded by saying, regardless of future outcomes, he is “never going back to 205.”
He further explained the mental toll of weight cutting: “Truth is, I wasn’t even worried about the fight itself. I was worried whether or not I would make weight and perform well.” He noted that instead of focusing on fight strategy like takedowns or striking, his thoughts were consumed by questions like “‘Can I take him down? Will I have the strength? Can I follow the strategy?’ That’s what sucks about the weight cut.”
Petrino plans to weigh approximately 250 pounds for Saturday`s fight, aiming for a weight where he feels neither excessively heavy nor slow.
Regarding his training at his current weight, Petrino stated, “I do all the rounds and feel strong, and I don’t gas out.” He added that he doesn`t feel heavy because he`s training at his natural weight. He emphasized wanting to feel strong rather than just heavy, with his goal being to compete in the heavyweight division in the “best shape possible, faster and more agile,” while maintaining an athlete`s lifestyle.
Petrino`s initial plan for his heavyweight debut was a fight against fellow Brazilian Jhonata Diniz in March at UFC 313, but a double elbow injury forced him off the card. His new opponent is the 37-year-old Austen Lane, who has a record of just one victory in five UFC appearances (a decision win against Robelis Despaigne).
Comparing his opponents, Petrino noted that Diniz, being primarily a kickboxer, was more predictable. In contrast, he described Austen Lane as less specialized but capable in various areas, making him “more unpredictable.” Petrino suggested this unpredictability might make Lane a “bit more complicated” opponent than Diniz due to his “variations and more resources in terms of MMA.”
Despite losing his last two fights by stoppage, which could put his position in the UFC at risk, Petrino stated he will not carry that pressure into the octagon in Tennessee. He recognizes that the heavyweight division is one of the UFC`s less populated weight classes, meaning a couple of wins could quickly position him for a fight against a top-ranked contender.
He commented on the division`s size, saying, “There are 25 heavyweights in the UFC, if I’m not mistaken.” He considers this a small number for the promotion, suggesting his “rise can be quite fast.” However, he emphasized that he is not focused on rapid ranking progression, stating, “My focus is and will always be fight by fight. My work will slowly show where I stand in the division.”
