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Marco Tulio Makes UFC Debut Against Ihor Potieria at UFC Vegas 101

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Marco Tulio Ihor Potieria Ufc Vegas 101 Fight

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Brazilian middleweight Marco Tulio is set to make his UFC debut against Ihor Potieria at UFC Vegas 101 on Saturday, January 10, 2025. Tulio, who earned his contract through two impressive victories on Dana White‘s Contender Series, is looking to prove his worth in the octagon against the experienced Potieria.

Tulio, who trains at Chute Boxe Diego Lima alongside former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira, has won eight consecutive fights, five of which ended in knockouts. His most recent victory, a second-round TKO on the Contender Series, secured his spot on the UFC roster. “I’ve fought guys with names in the past, like ex-UFC Glaico [Franca] and even Yousri, who has all this hype because of his name,” Tulio told MMA Fighting. “But I was never impressed by hype. It’s two men in there, and what speaks louder is fight IQ and skills.”

Potieria, on the other hand, is looking to regain momentum after a rough patch in his UFC career. The Ukrainian fighter, who famously knocked out legendary veteran Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in 2023, has lost four of his last five fights. Despite his recent struggles, Potieria remains a dangerous opponent with a professional record of 21-7, including nine knockouts and six submissions.

“I think it’s a perfect matchup because he already has a name and a career inside the UFC,” Tulio said of Potieria. “He has fought some Brazilians, and that’s something I want to work on. I respect him, but I see many holes in his game, both on the feet and on the ground.”

Tulio, who has a background in striking, has been working on improving his wrestling and jiu-jitsu to become a more well-rounded fighter. “I’m sure I’m better than him on the feet, but if I have the opportunity to take him down and go for a submission, I’ll be open to that,” he said. “My standup will make all the difference.”

Potieria, who has faced three other Brazilians since his win over Rua, is aware of the challenge ahead. “Tulio is a tough opponent, but I’m ready for whatever he brings,” Potieria said in a pre-fight interview. “I’ve been working on my weaknesses, and I’m confident I can get the win.”

The fight is expected to be a striking-heavy affair, with both fighters known for their knockout power. Tulio’s speed and precision could prove to be the difference, but Potieria’s experience and ability to finish fights early make him a dangerous opponent. Fans can expect an explosive matchup as both fighters look to make a statement in the middleweight division.