Rodrigo Nascimento: Rolling with the Punches

Rodrigo Nascimento takes the good with the bad.

The once-beaten American Top Team export will look to strengthen his foothold in the Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight division when he rematches Don’Tale Mayes in a featured UFC Fight Night 231 attraction on Nov. 4 at Ibirapuera Gymnasium in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Nascimento’s experience in the UFC runs the gamut, with three wins, one loss and one no contest due to a failed drug test.

“I learned a lot about staying focused,” he told Sherdog.com. “That’s how life is—highs and lows all the time. I’ll show that I’m a different kind of fighter. I’ve had highs and lows, but that’s OK. I’ve learned a lot.”

Nascimento first met Mayes at UFC on ESPN 8, where he put away the Bronx Hill MMA product with a rear-naked choke in the second round of their May 16 pairing. He expects an entirely new opponent in their second encounter. Mayes, 31, owns a 3-1 mark with one no contest in his five appearances since falling to Nascimento. He last competed on June 3, when he turned away Andrei Arlovski with second-round punches at UFC on ESPN 46.

“I think that Mayes has changed a lot,” Nascimento said. “He’s evolved. He’s a different fighter nowadays. He’s heavier and stronger. He’s more experienced, without any doubt. Having said all that, I’m also different now. I’ve also evolved. I’m no longer just a jiu-jitsu guy. I can get and defend takedowns. I can strike. I can get people to the ground. I’m a complete fighter today.”

Nascimento has full confidence in the game plan his coaches have installed for Mayes.

“We’re not training especially for Don’Tale,” he said. “We simply work on my best abilities. Of course, no facet is neglected. Watching his tape, we saw that he’s been adding new skills. So have we.”

The 30-year-old Nascimento has some momentum on his side, as he approaches his latest hurdle on the strength of back-to-back victories. He last fought at UFC Fight Night 223, where he eked out a split decision over Ilir Latifi on May 20. Nascimento understands he must first get past Mayes to get where he wants to go.

“My plan is to beat my opponent, renew my contract in a good way and to make more money,” he said. “I hope my next opponent is ranked. After I win, I’ll call someone out. I already have someone in mind.”