Lucas Rocha
Fenômeno
Brazil
Booked against Filho
Rocha will fight Jafel Filho at UFC Vegas 116 on April 25, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Rocha captured his first UFC victory over Stewart Nicoli in October. He'll now attempt to rise above .500 in the promotion, though to do so, he will have to overcome an opponent who is four inches taller and has 4.5 inches of reach over Rocha.
Rocha captured his first UFC victory over Stewart Nicoli in October. He'll now attempt to rise above .500 in the promotion, though to do so, he will have to overcome an opponent who is four inches taller and has 4.5 inches of reach over Rocha.
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Strong effort for first UFC win
Rocha defeated Stewart Nicoll via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
ANALYSIS
It was a strong bounce-back performance from Rocha on the heels of his debut submission loss to Clayton Carpenter 364 days ago. He shut down 18-of-20 Nicoll takedown attempts, which allowed the Brazilian to pound his opponent on the feet. Rocha remained aggressive throughout, closing with a 115-45 edge in significant strikes in addition to chipping in three successful takedowns of his own. Rocha turned just 25 years of age in August, so it's reasonable to expect him to be making improvements each time we see him step into the Octagon.
It was a strong bounce-back performance from Rocha on the heels of his debut submission loss to Clayton Carpenter 364 days ago. He shut down 18-of-20 Nicoll takedown attempts, which allowed the Brazilian to pound his opponent on the feet. Rocha remained aggressive throughout, closing with a 115-45 edge in significant strikes in addition to chipping in three successful takedowns of his own. Rocha turned just 25 years of age in August, so it's reasonable to expect him to be making improvements each time we see him step into the Octagon.
Taking on Nicoll
Rocha will face Stewart Nicoll in a flyweight bout at UFCRioDeJaneiro on October 11, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Rocha will look to bounce back from a loss in his first ever UFC bout when he lost to Clayton Carpenter in October of 2024. He'll step back into the Octagon almost exactly a year later to face Nicoll, a fighter also looking to climb to 1-1 in the UFC.
Rocha will look to bounce back from a loss in his first ever UFC bout when he lost to Clayton Carpenter in October of 2024. He'll step back into the Octagon almost exactly a year later to face Nicoll, a fighter also looking to climb to 1-1 in the UFC.
Taps out in UFC debut
Rocha lost to Clayton Carpenter via technical submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:12 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Rocha earned his UFC opportunity with a knockout win on Dana White's Contender Series almost exactly a year ago. He finally made his official company debut here and was routed by a legitimate prospect in Carpenter. Rocha was fine whenever the fight was standing, but he gave up a pair of easy takedowns and was dominated the second the fight hit the mat. Still just 24 years of age, Rocha entered with a 17-1 professional record, but there's a real chance he was simply beating up inferior competition on the Brazilian regional scene. Don't expect much moving forward.
Rocha earned his UFC opportunity with a knockout win on Dana White's Contender Series almost exactly a year ago. He finally made his official company debut here and was routed by a legitimate prospect in Carpenter. Rocha was fine whenever the fight was standing, but he gave up a pair of easy takedowns and was dominated the second the fight hit the mat. Still just 24 years of age, Rocha entered with a 17-1 professional record, but there's a real chance he was simply beating up inferior competition on the Brazilian regional scene. Don't expect much moving forward.
Will take on Carpenter
Rocha will face Clayton Carpenter in a flyweight bout at a UFC event on Oct. 12, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Rocha and Carpenter will collide in a battle of on-the-rise fighters, and while Carpenter owns a 7-0-0 pro record, Rocha has gone 17-1-0 in his career while riding a six-win streak. This will be Rocha's debut at the UFC level, but it will also be his first fight since he defeated Davi Bittencourt in the Contender Series 2023. His previous two bouts this year were cancelled.
Rocha and Carpenter will collide in a battle of on-the-rise fighters, and while Carpenter owns a 7-0-0 pro record, Rocha has gone 17-1-0 in his career while riding a six-win streak. This will be Rocha's debut at the UFC level, but it will also be his first fight since he defeated Davi Bittencourt in the Contender Series 2023. His previous two bouts this year were cancelled.
Given new opponent
Rocha is scheduled to compete against Joshua Van in a flyweight fight at UFC Vegas 90 on April 6, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
After earning a UFC contract through Dana White's Contender Series, Rocha had been waiting to make his UFC debut, initially scheduled against Jose Johnson. However, Johnson withdrew from the fight, resulting in Van's entry into that bout. Van has a perfect 3-0 record in the UFC.
After earning a UFC contract through Dana White's Contender Series, Rocha had been waiting to make his UFC debut, initially scheduled against Jose Johnson. However, Johnson withdrew from the fight, resulting in Van's entry into that bout. Van has a perfect 3-0 record in the UFC.