The first athlete to graduate from the Diego Lima Institute to join the biggest MMA event on the planet, Daniel Willycat, has another challenge on the schedule this Saturday starting at 5 p.m. Slated for the main card, the athlete from Minas will face American John Castañeda at UFC Apex, which will have six Brazilians in action, including Mackenzie Dern and Raoni Barcelos. The fight will be played at bantamweight (63.5 kg) and comes as a big opportunity for the 27-year-old, who feels more relaxed after debuting in the organization in April this year.
“We learn from defeat. I learned that you have to be a little calmer, not to walk so far all the time. Now I am more complete. The preparations were the best possible and I want to have the best fight of the evening,” said Daniel, who has eight wins in 10 fights in his career.
Failure against Julio Arce in his first appearance in the Octagon did not stop Willycat. Just the opposite. The adversity forced the Uberlândia miner to work even harder on his game and develop in fundamental aspects, such as wrestling, adding more tools to his repertoire. A black belt in muay thai and a purple belt in jiu-jitsu, Daniel has sharpened his weapons with Charles do Bronx and Deivesson Figueiredo, among other beasts, and believes he is ready to take off in the UFC with a triumph against his next opponent, who hails from two consecutive wins in the organization.
“I train in the best gym, in a first-class structure. I feel completely ready. He (Castañeda) is a good boxing guy, who moves well. And I will kick him hard to undermine that movement, throw some punches. I would like to have a war of three rounds, but I’ll knock him out in the first round!” Willycat promised.
Competing for the best trainer award at the MMA Awards, Diego Lima closely follows the athlete’s growth and is already seeing new discoveries enter the most famous Octagon on the planet, such as Mateus Bocão, who Dana White recently envisioned with a contract after shining in the Contender Series. In the coach’s eyes, daily dedication and investments in the Institute will bring more and more fruits.
“The institute was born to be this factory of champions as we usually say. And not only in fights, but also in life. Here we are all from the Chute Boxe family and we help each other. Due to the preparations, I am sure that Daniel will show all his talent and that he will shine this Saturday”, praised Diego.
About the Diego Lima Institute
Trainer at Chute Boxe and one of the people responsible for the success of renowned athletes in the world MMA, Diego Lima decided to start the dream of promoting the sport through a non-profit organization, in order to train great human beings instead of good fighters. .
With an area of almost 2,000 square meters, with its own parking lot, changing rooms, 600 square meters of mats and two octagons, the Institute offers classes in financial education, English and Spanish. Aiming at the well-being of athletes, the foundation also provides health insurance, supplements and accommodation, making Instituto Diego Lima a true Factory of Champions.
UFC Apex: Dern x Yan
October 1, 2022 in Las Vegas (USA)
MAIN CARD (8 p.m. Brasilia time):
Peso-palha: Mackenzie Dern x Yan Xiaonan
Welterweight: Randy Brown vs. Francisco Massaranduba
Bantamweight: Raoni Barcelos vs Trevino Jones
Peso-foam: Sodiq Yusuff x Don Shainis
Welterweight (up to 63.5 kg): John Castaneda vs. Daniel Willycat
Peso-left: Mike Davis x Viacheslav Borshchev
PRELIMINARY CARD (17:00, Brasilia time):
Heavyweights: Alexey Oleynik x Ilir Latifi
Peso Live: Netto BJJ x Jesse Ronson
Peso-médio: Krzysztof Jotko x Brendan Allen
Welterweight: Philipe Lins vs. Maxim Grishin
Welterweight (up to 63.5 kg): Julija Stoliarenko vs. Chelsea Chandler
Weight: Randy Costa x Guido Cannetti