Brazilian fighter Kaue Fernandes is in London for the upcoming UFC Fight Night, and he’s determined to make a significant impact. Fernandes hopes his performance against Guram Kutateladze will resonate with former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria, who is also in London.
Fernandes is set to face Kutateladze in the preliminary card at the O2 Arena. He believes that defeating Kutateladze, a teammate of prominent Georgian fighters Ilia Topuria and Merab Dvalishvili, could generate considerable attention and create interesting future storylines.
Fernandes acknowledged the possibility of Topuria being present at the fight, observing Kutateladze’s corner. He mused about the potential narrative that could emerge if he defeated Kutateladze, imagining Topuria’s reaction and the ensuing buzz. Fernandes recognizes that Kutateladze’s connections to champion-level fighters amplify the significance of this matchup.
Topuria, who recently vacated his featherweight title to move to lightweight, is aiming for a shot at Islam Makhachev’s lightweight championship. The UFC has not yet announced Topuria’s debut in the new weight class or his first opponent.
Fernandes emphasized that a decisive victory over Kutateladze is crucial for him to gain recognition. He believes that while a close decision win would offer little fanfare, a knockout would significantly boost his profile and create opportunities for bigger fights. Fernandes feels he possesses the necessary skills but needs to showcase them effectively in the octagon.
Reflecting on his UFC debut, Fernandes recalled a narrow split decision loss to Marc Diakiese in 2023. He bounced back with a first-round knockout against Mohammad Yahya in Abu Dhabi. Fernandes revealed that competing in hostile environments motivates him.
Fernandes explained that fighting away from home energizes him. His previous fight in Abu Dhabi against a local fighter and his current opportunity to compete in London, a city he’s always wanted to visit, provide him with extra motivation and power.
Fernandes feels more self-assured entering this fight on the heels of a victory, contrasting it with his previous bout where he was coming off a defeat. He stated that finishing Yahya boosted his confidence in his knockout power, reinforcing the belief that his strikes can inflict serious damage. Fernandes is aiming for a $50,000 performance bonus.
Regarding Kutateladze’s fighting style, Fernandes noted that Kutateladze relied more on grappling in his last fight despite having a striking background. Fernandes believes Kutateladze resorts to grappling when he feels threatened in stand-up exchanges, a tendency he considers common among fighters. While anticipating a stand-up battle, Fernandes acknowledges his own ability to grapple if necessary.
