New UFC signee Matheus Camilo explains how mother saved his career

Matheus Camilo encountered adversity but emerged victorious.

After competing at Z Fight Night in South Korea, Camilo (9-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) flew back to Las Vegas with a new title: UFC fighter. His performance on “Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight” impressed White, who welcomed him to the UFC after his split decision victory over Camilo Dorobshokh Nabatov.

At just 24 years old, this moment held special significance for Camilo. Hailing from Brazil, he made significant sacrifices to pursue a career in MMA.

Following the passing of his father, Camilo contemplated quitting the sport. However, his mother’s encouragement pushed him to relocate to the United States and chase his dreams. After years apart, Camilo reunited with his mother in early 2024, sharing the news of his UFC debut.

Reflecting on the emotional moment, Camilo shared, “She was crying a lot. It was a dream come true. She talked about my father and how proud he would be. I dedicated that victory to her.”

Camilo plans to resume training at Xtreme Couture after spending the holidays in Brazil. He aims to debut in March and showcase more of his skills to White.

He expressed, “My dream is to be a champion inside the UFC. I’m going to work for this every day.”