Marcos Degli wants to follow Carlos Prates' path to the UFC
The LFA champion believes training with Carlos Prates has helped prepare him for his UFC opportunity at Dana White's Contender Series.
Marcos Degli will finally get a chance to win a UFC contract at Dana White's Contender Series. The LFA flyweight champion will step inside the Octagon to face Paris Moran on Tuesday in Las Vegas. Training alongside Carlos Prates at Vale Top Team, Degli has had the UFC welterweight top contender campaign for him several times and explained how that support has helped him develop his confidence.
Marcos Degli Draws Confidence From Carlos Prates
Degli has received plenty of support from Prates throughout his rise in MMA. The two Brazilians train together at Vale Top Team, and Prates has repeatedly praised his teammate while campaigning for him to get a UFC opportunity.
That support has also helped Degli believe he belongs at the highest level. Speaking to MMA Fighting ahead of his DWCS debut, the Brazilian explained that hearing Prates praise his skills has given him additional confidence before stepping into the Octagon.
"I think that having that makes me grow not only in terms of the media," Degli said. "But also mentally, going in there more confident and thinking, 'Man, I train with a badass.' The guy says I'm a badass, so I think, 'Man, why not? Why couldn't I be the one with my hand raised?' I think that makes me stronger."
Degli enters the matchup riding a 12-fight winning streak, with 11 finishes during that run. The 26-year-old has also won six consecutive fights under the LFA banner, claiming the interim flyweight title before successfully defending it twice. In August, Degli became the undisputed champion after Eduardo "Chapolin" Henrique vacated the title.
Marcos Degli Wants to be the Carlos Prates of Flyweight
Known as an aggressive striker with an extensive Muay Thai background, Degli believes his fighting style is similar to Prates' and sees that as an advantage in his pursuit of a UFC contract. The Brazilian is confident that his finishing ability, particularly his punching power, can help him make an immediate impact in the promotion.
"Our styles are the same," Degli said. "We come to finish the fight. And that's what the UFC likes. That's the face of the UFC: a guy who finishes the fight. And I think my differential will be my knockout power. I'm a guy with very heavy hands. When I get there, I believe it's going to be a big hype."
Degli has already tried several times to earn a UFC contract, including traveling to Australia earlier this year to potentially step in for Jack Jenkins before the opportunity fell through. Now, the Brazilian finally has a chance to turn his long pursuit into a UFC contract.
