Jafel Filho aims to etch his name in UFC history with a unique submission style as he prepares for a matchup with Cody Durden at UFC Vegas 116. This catchweight bout is scheduled for April 25 at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas.
Filho’s Ambition in the UFC
Holding the record for the most submissions in UFC history is Charles Oliveira, with 17 victories achieved through various techniques. These include the rear-naked choke, arm-triangle choke, guillotine choke, and more. Jafel Filho, though early in his UFC career, has already demonstrated versatility by securing his three octagon wins with different submission moves: kimura, rear-naked choke, and arm-triangle choke.
- Jafel Filho’s submission victories:
- Kimura
- Rear-naked choke
- Arm-triangle choke
A Unique Submission Move
Filho is eagerly anticipating the fight against Durden after experiencing a shake-up in his training schedule. He previously planned to fight Lucas Rocha but faced a last-minute opponent change. The Nova Uniao black belt holds 11 of his 17 professional MMA victories by submission, nearly tapping Muhammad Mokaev in his debut.
Filho introduces an unconventional submission move, which he has personally named. This technique starts from the kimura position and transitions into a reverse triangle, applying pressure on both the neck and cervical spine. “I take them down, take the back and lock a reverse triangle,” Filho explained. “Who knows, maybe it happens now?”
Personal Challenges and Resilience
As Filho enters UFC Vegas 116, he feels physically and mentally prepared. He recently overcame a serious personal scare in January when armed men confronted him and his family. Thankfully, they emerged unharmed, but the experience left him shaken.
“Every camp presents intense challenges, but I believe I’m a chosen warrior,” Filho stated. Despite the trauma, he has chosen to focus on his career and not dwell on the incident. “I decided to move on and concentrate on my training,” he said. “God protected me.” His commitment now is to secure a victory against Durden and potentially boost his chances of entering the UFC flyweight rankings.
Future Aspirations
Filho recognizes that the path to ranking is competitive. “There are fighters in the rankings who haven’t accomplished what I have,” he noted. He believes that strong performances will inevitably lead to his rise in the UFC. Given his unique submission techniques and recent experiences, Jafel Filho is determined to impress and solidify his place in the promotion’s history.
