Andre Lima expects quick UFC return to make difference after first loss

After suffering the first defeat of his career, Andre Lima is ready to step inside the Octagon again. On Saturday, "Mascote" is expected to face Namsrai Batbayar at UFC Fight Night 286, set to take place in Shanghai, China, just over two months after his last appearance. Unlike his previous fight, when he returned after more than a year away from competition, Lima believes a quick return to the Octagon can make a difference this time.

Andre Lima Looks to Learn from First Career Loss

Following his participation in Dana White's Contender Series, Lima made his UFC debut in March 2024 with a win over Igor Severino. That same year, the Brazilian stepped inside the Octagon on two other occasions, emerging victorious in both of them. The following year, Mascote defeated Daniel Barez in March to extend his UFC winning streak to four fights.

Lima then spent more than a year away from competition, returning only last June when he suffered his first career loss to Kevin Borjas. For the Brazilian, the long period away from competition played a role in the result, as he struggled to find his rhythm and showcase the improvements he had made in training.

"What I took from it is that there's a time for everything: there's a time to win, a time to lose and a time to evolve," Lima told Ag Fight. "With everything that happened, I took it as an experience — it was my time to lose and to go through that bitter defeat. The time I spent inactive ended up affecting my fighting rhythm and everything. I wasn't able to let everything I had trained show."

Andre Lima Welcomes Quick UFC Return

Rather than spending another long period on the sidelines, Lima immediately asked the UFC for another fight. The promotion granted his request, allowing the Brazilian to return just a few months after his first career defeat. Now, Mascote believes the quick turnaround can help him show a different version of himself.

"I told the UFC, 'I want to come back as soon as possible. I'm ready, I'm healthy, and I don't want to spend too much time without fighting again,'" Lima said. "And they ended up granting my request. Now, coming back quickly is much better for me. I'm in fighting shape, I fought recently. So it's going to be a different timing."

Back in action just months after his first professional setback, Mascote will look to put his lessons into practice when he returns to the Octagon in China on Saturday.