‘Tractor’ Pull

In just three Ultimate Fighting Championship appearances, Tamires Vidal has already seen some impressive highs and suffered some bruising lows, from debuting in 2022 with a highlight-reel flying knee stoppage, to the two-fight skid that has followed, including suffering a body-shot knockout in her most recent outing in May.

As she prepares to try and snap the first losing streak of her career against Joselyne Edwards at UFC Fight Night 245 on Saturday at the Apex in Las Vegas, “Tratora” spoke to Sherdog about staying grounded in the face of those swings in momentum.

“I started out as a professional in 2018 but before that I was already practicing muay thai and jiu-jitsu,” the 26-year-old Brazilian said. “I started at a social project. I was already following the UFC. I would watch many of Jose Aldo’s fights. It became a dream of mine to one day get into the UFC. I wished to be seen and to do what I love, which is fighting. Thankfully, today I’m in the UFC. I was able to have an excellent fight against Ramona Pascual, but reality hadn’t yet set in. I had trained that flying knee repeatedly. It was very gratifying. It was a great debut after a great camp. I’m someone who is very determined. I never give up on what I want. I was able to let my game flow. I’m very happy to be here and be seen, even though the road to get here was very hard. I hope to God that I stay here. I’m very determined to reach my objectives. I’ll give my best.”

In her opponent, Edwards, Vidal sees a solid opponent who is likely feeling a similar urgency to get back in the win column. “We had a chance to study her,” Vidal said. “She’s coming off two losses too, so we both have the same motivation. I was able to spot flaws in her game. I’m training hard to take home another win. As I said, I’m very determined. Since I have this chance now, on my contract, I’ll put on a show. I’ll give my best, as I always do. I’m feeling very confident going into this fight.”

Preparation for UFC Vegas 99 took place, as have all of Vidal’s camps for years, at Benito Macapa Fight Team in her hometown of Niteroi. “I train at Benito Macapa Fight Team under coach Benito “Macapa.” Benito used to be a fighter and now he’s my coach. My other coach is Bruno Mezenga. I keep alternating training sessions due to the driving distance. And I’m also working with “Chocolate” from the RFT academy.”

Vidal’s main goal right now is the Panamanian striker in front of her on Saturday, but she did tease a career move, assuming all goes well in Las Vegas. “I think a lot about my future. My current goal is to have a beautiful fight so I can renew my contract. I would also like to drop down to flyweight. I feel it’s where I’ll find myself and have a chance to work my way up the rankings. I know I can get to the belt one day because I never give up.”