My career has not been perfect, and I have never tried to hide from my past. In 2011, I had a positive test for a banned substance, served my suspension, accepted responsibility for what was in my body, and made major changes to the way I managed my team and supplements. Since then, I have competed under some of the most rigorous testing programs in MMA, including testing overseen by Mike Mazzulli, and I have continued to pass those tests.
That is why I believe strict, independent testing is important. It protects the fighters, the sport and the legacy we work our entire lives to build.
I also want to give respect to Ketlen Vieira. She is a tough competitor, a fellow Brazilian and a former UFC title challenger. Missing weight by 7.2 pounds created an extremely unusual situation, and I know fighters can face difficult circumstances during a fight camp. I have no interest in attacking her personally.
What I am proud of is what happened inside the cage.
I made 145 pounds. My opponent came in more than seven pounds over the championship limit. I still accepted the fight and stepped into the cage knowing I would be giving up a significant physical advantage.
And after five rounds, I got my hand raised.
That night, I earned the 30th victory of my professional MMA career and the 19th World Championship victory of my career.
For me, that is what legacy is about.
It is not about pretending the difficult moments never happened. It is about facing them, learning from them, continuing to compete under the rules, and proving yourself again and again.
Thank you to Mike Mazzulli and everyone involved in maintaining a serious testing program. I believe clean sport deserves strong enforcement.
And Ketlen, I respect you. I know what it takes to step into that cage. I wish you nothing but success moving forward.
My legacy is built on more than one night, one opponent, or one chapter.
30 MMA wins. 19 World Championship victories. And I’m still here. 🦾🇧🇷
