UFC's Jafel Filho wants 'battle of grapplers' with Jimmy Flick after birth of child
LAS VEGAS – Jafel Filho flexed his jiu-jitsu skills in his second-straight first-round finish at UFC Fight Night 239, and now wants a test against someone who is well-versed on the mat.
Filho (16-3 MMA, 2-1 UFC) made quick work of Ode Osbourne at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas behind a hyper-aggressive gameplan. Ultimately, it paid off in the first round, getting the win over Osbourne by a rear-naked choke. Still young in his UFC career, “Pastor,” a BJJ black belt, wants his next test to be against another solid grappler.
“I saw Jimmy Flick coming off a win, somebody who was a champion in LFA,” Filho told reporters at a post-fight news conference. “Myself a champion of Shooto, I think it would be really cool to actually have a battle of grapplers.”
Flick (17-7 MMA, 2-2 UFC) won his January outing against Malcolm Gordon by arm triangle submission, snapping a two-fight skid.
While Filho had a name ready to call out, his next fight is the least of his concerns at the moment, as his wife is due to give birth in August. Due to the fight camp, he says he could not spend time with her properly and make all of the necessary doctor’s appointments, something he intends to rectify over the coming months.
“I have never had such a hard and focused camp within the lines of training and always following the rules,” Filho said. “I think this kid, whether it’s a boy or a girl, has brought me focus, strength, and determination to do what I needed to do to come out with a win in this fight.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 239.