Brazil’s Philipe Lins is set to return to the Octagon on October 7th in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The light heavyweight athlete makes the walk for the third time in 2023 and is currently riding his best stint since joining the UFC in 2020.
The UFC Apex will host UFC Vegas 80, a fight-card headlined by lightweights Grant Dawson and Bobby Green. However, Lins will also feature on the card as he faces the always-intense Ion Cutelaba. With five UFC fights under his belt, October 7th will mark the first time Lins has featured on the main card, and it’s an opportunity he’s desperate to capitalise on.
When speaking exclusively with Combat Sports UK, Lins revealed how pleased he was to be getting a main card spot.
Philipe Lins on UFC Main Card Spot
“Fighting on the main card means a lot to me; of course, it Is important, and I feel I deserve to be there, too!“
Despite being on a three-fight win streak, Lins’ UFC career didn’t start as he hoped. The Brazilian dropped back-to-back fights to Andrei Arlovski and Tanner Boser. When asked what changed, Lins credits his recent performances to the drop in weight classes, but his lifestyle changes.
“It definitely was not a good start in UFC. After those losses, I decided to go down again to the LHW division, and it was a very good decision. The results prove it … I feel like I’m at home again, and what I’m doing differently is living a healthy life right now, and things happen!“
His opponent, Cutelaba, is famously known for the highly aggressive intensity he brings to the cage. Cutelaba was a force to be reckoned with at one stage, and not many were putting their hand up to fight the Moldovan native. In 2022, Cutelaba found himself on a three-fight skid after taking losses to Ryan Spann, Johnny Walker, and Kennedy Nzechukwu. Still, as of late, he bounced back into the win column with a victory over Boser. Lins is aware of the challenge in front of him, but don’t expect him to feel intimidated by Cutelabs’ antics.
Experience of Cutelaba
“Cutelaba is an experienced opponent. He’s already had good fights against great opponents. Like, does this thing “intimidate” me? It doesn’t matter to me all respect to him, but it is my moment to shine!!!“
When the fight was announced, Cutelaba took to Instagram to reveal his next fight with Lins, saying: “I make up his bedtime story.”, insinuating he would have his way with his opponent. Lins, who addressed the comment, had no interest in a verbal war, but when the pair meet in the cage, he’ll do his talking then.
“He likes to talk so much, and I’ll talk with my hands! “
With three solid wins over Marcin Prachino, Ovince St. Preux, and Maxim Grishin, Lins believes a statement win over Cutelaba will see him with a number next to his name among the heavyweight rankings.
“After winning this one, I feel I deserve to be on the rankings!“
How do you see the matchup between Philipe Lins and Ion Cutelaba panning out? Let us know in the comments!
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
