MMA fighter Jafel Filho has shrugged off his controversial loss to Muhammad Mokaev at UFC 286, and is eagerly anticipating his second fight at the O2 Arena in London where he will face promotional newcomer Daniel Barez.
Jafel Filho is finished contemplating his defeat to Muhammad Mokaev, expressing his readiness for his second octagon appearance which will take place in the same venue in London on Saturday. Filho lost to the undefeated prospect Mokaev at UFC 286 in March. He challenged the outcome by alleging that Mokaev, an up-and-coming fighter, tapped several times to submission holds. The Nova União fighter thought about appealing the loss, but eventually decided against it, anticipating that he would probably be unsuccessful.
Filho is extremely excited to return to The O2 this weekend to contend with promotional newcomer Daniel Barez. The Brazilian 125-pounder made an enormous effort in his first visit to the country, menacing Mokaev with submissions prior to ultimately losing. He expressed no resentment towards the London event’s team of officials despite the debatable conclusion at UFC 289. In the UK, UFC events are self-regulated as there’s no recognized athletic commission in the country. Mokaev’s fight against Filho was refereed by the experienced official, Herb Dean.
“I won a lot with that fight and the way it went,” Filho said in a recent episode of Trocação Franca podcast, “[To fight again] in England of all places, and those fans. I get messages from them all the time. I was happy to be put on the London card again for that reason.” He added that the controversy could’ve happened in Brazil, where he’s scored numerous victories, or even in Las Vegas. Filho expressed his certainty about the commission and his happiness of returning to England to fight again.
Facing Filho on Saturday, his opponent Barez enters the UFC octagon for the first time since winning 10 of his last 11 fights. Filho doesn’t overlook Barez simply because he’s not as highly regarded as Mokaev. “Regardless being the best fighter or the worst fighter, a fight is always fifty-fifty. I’ve worked hard so that is my day. I worked hard so his hand doesn’t land, I’m not submitted, and I finish him.” In October 2021, Barez previously fought in the eight-sided with a split decision setback to Carlos Hernandez at Dana White’s Contender Series. Despite stopping four men in a row since then to earn a UFC call, Filho said he has the upper hand on the mental aspect of the game. He concluded, “I like to say my head is my strongest weapon. I can think clearly during the fight and change strategies mid-fight, and I see myself coming out victorious, especially with a submission.”