Onward and Upward for Vitor Petrino

Vitor Petrino embraces the minutiae, and his attention to detail certainly played a roll in his racing out to a perfect 9-0 start and securing a spot on the Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight roster.

The 26-year-old Dana White’s Contender Series graduate will put his undefeated record on the line when he faces Modestas Bukauskas as part of the UFC Fight Night 231 undercard on Saturday at Ibirapuera Gymnasium in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Petrino plans to lean on what works as he moves towards more meaningful opportunities at 205 pounds, believing the results will take care of themselves.

“I’m a guy who enjoys the process,” he told Sherdog.com. “I love what I do, training MMA every day. This is truly a dream come true. I always go into my fights feeling happy. We always aim to give the best possible performance. I look for knockouts and submissions. In the end, I’m mainly looking to enjoy myself and to give the most of me at that moment.

“Being undefeated is just a consequence of doing good work,” Petrino added. “I do my best never to lose, but if one day I do lose, I’ll accept it. That’s our game, and those are the consequences.”

A two-time Cage Warriors Fighting Championship titleholder, Bukauskas answers the call to arms on a four-fight winning streak. He last appeared at UFC on ESPN 47, where he took a unanimous decision from Zac Pauga on June 17. Bukauskas, 29, has compiled a 3-3 record across two stints in the UFC.

“I believe it’s going to be a great fight,” Petrino said. “We both enjoy the adrenaline that comes from striking. We love banging it out. We give all we have. That’s why I’m happy to be facing him next. I’m a big believer in my game. I’m very tough and strong. Plus, I’m much more versatile. I know that Modestas is very tough, but I’m more complete.”

Petrino operates out of the CM System camp, where he under Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace Cristiano Marcello. It affords him daily access to world-class coaches and training partners.

“We never stop,” Petrino said. “We’re in constant evolution. I don’t look to only get better in one area. I’m always looking to refine my entire skill set. I train wrestling with our entire team. Whether we win or lose, the goal is to always show up with better skills in every fight.”

Petrino views his clash with Bukauskas as a potential springboard.

“With another win, we’ll see,” he said. “I’d like to renew my contract. Let’s see what proposal the UFC brings to the table. We’re here to fight, chase the highest heights and to one day be facing the top names in the weight class on our way to the belt.”