Athletes
Diego Ferreira Believes The Best Version Of Himself Is Back
Revitalized Veteran Diego Ferreira Targets Statement Victory With Renewed Preparation And Confidence
For Diego Ferreira, this training camp wasn’t about reinventing himself. It was about getting back to doing the things that made him one of the longer tenured lightweights in the divisions.
After two fights that didn’t go his way, the 19-7 Brazilian knows exactly where he believes things went wrong. Now, with a full eight-week camp behind him, Ferreira enters his showdown with Billy Quarantillo convinced that the mistakes of the past won’t follow him into the Octagon.
Watch This & Every UFC Event On Paramount+
“It’s more because I made mistakes,” Ferreira said. “I didn’t train the way I was supposed to. One fight I took on short notice, and I was in a rush to get back. This one, I prepared myself. I put more time in.”
That extra preparation has changed more than just his conditioning.
A move to Melissa, Texas, has eliminated the exhausting nine-hour drive he once made from McAllen, Texas, to train. Allowing him to spend more time sharpening his skills instead of recovering from long hours on the road.
“I put more time in the gym now and worked on the things I need to work on,” Ferreira said. “I don’t have to drive nine hours anymore. That took a lot out of my body.”
MORE UFC FIGHT NIGHT: Gamrot Out To Prove A Point | Quarantillo New Weight Class, Same ‘Billy Q’ | Elkins Is Determined To ‘Enjoy The Moment’ In Final UFC Fight | Thainara Gets Her Moment In The Spotlight | Canuto Doing It For The Plot | Asplund Is Pulling Out All The Stops
The result is a veteran who believes he’s entering fight week fresher, smarter and more focused than he has been in recent years.
Standing across from him is Quarantillo, who returns after a two-year break and makes the move from featherweight to lightweight. Ferreira expects the longtime 145-pound contender to bring the same relentless pressure that has defined his career, but he also believes the jump to 155 pounds comes with questions that only fight night can answer.
“He’s the type of guy who likes to get hit and keep moving forward,” Ferreira said. “I don’t think he’s been hit by a real 155-pound fighter yet. I want to give him that feeling because it’s a different weight class.”
Ferreira expects Quarantillo to test him early, believing the younger fighter may view him as a slowing veteran nearing his 42nd birthday.
How To Watch Zuffa Boxing 10 In Your Country
Instead, Ferreira plans to surprise him.
“I think he’s thinking I’m slow because I’m older,” Ferreira said. “But I trained the right way and with the right people.”
Rather than spending camp with larger training partners, Ferreira worked extensively with faster, lighter fighters to sharpen his reactions and force himself to match a higher pace.
“I trained with the bantamweights, the 135-pound guys,” Ferreira said. “I know how fast they are. Before, I trained with bigger guys. Now I think that’s going to help me.”
Purchase Tickets For UFC 330 In Philadelphia!
Despite the stylistic chess match he expects Ferreira isn’t interested in turning the fight into a cautious affair. He embraces the type of contest where both men stand their ground to force the action.
“I like to meet up in the middle and see who’s going to be the toughest,” Ferreira said. “I enjoy fights like that.”
Diego Ferreira: "I Have This Fire In My Chest" | UFC Fight Night: Gamrot vs Salkilld
Unlock MORE of your inner combat sports fan with UFC Fight Pass! Fighting is what we live for. And no one brings you MORE live fights, new shows, and events across multiple combat sports from around the world. With a never-ending supply of fighting in every discipline, there`s always something new to watch. Leave it to the world`s authority in MMA to bring you the Ultimate 24/7 platform for MORE combat sports, UFC Fight Pass!
Diego Ferreira: "I Have This Fire In My Chest" | UFC Fight Night: Gamrot vs Salkilld
/
Still, he believes composure will ultimately decide who has their hand raised.
“I think it’s going to be who is the most patient,” Ferreira said. “Who’s the most intelligent in those situations. I have to take my time, be present in the moment and enjoy it.”
That mindset has only fueled the hunger Ferreira still carries after nearly a decade in the UFC. The goal isn’t simply to return to the win column. It’s to remind everyone that he remains a dangerous finisher capable of stealing the show.
“I’ve got that fire in my chest,” Ferreira said. “I want fight of the night or submission of the night. I want to do the best I can. I’m hungry to get back there.
UFC Fight Night: Gamrot vs Salkilld took place live from Meta APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 8, 2026. See the final Prelim & Main Card Results, Official Scorecards and Who Won Bonuses - and relive the action on UFC FIGHT PASS!