LAS VEGAS – Francisco Prado believed his roster spot was on the line this past Saturday at UFC Fight Night 290.
Prado (13-5 MMA, 2-5 UFC) took on Ismael Bonfim in a matchup of two fighters who have struggled to find the win column as of late. Prado entered on a four-fight skid, while Bonfim (20-8 MMA, 2-5 UFC) lost his three previous bouts.
Bonfim also did himself no favors as he missed weight for the third time during his UFC tenure, weighing in at 163.5 pounds, significantly over the 156-pound limit.
"That's on him, you know? I did my job," Prado told MMA Junkie and other reporters during a post-fight news conference. "My job is to come here, make my weight, and fight – and that's what I did. I think that's the nature of the fighters: just come here and fight.
I don't care. Nothing more. ...
"This guy yesterday was like eight pounds heavier than me, and I think tonight I was heavier than him."
The weight difference on the scale proved inconsequential for Prado, as he ended the fight with strikes late in the first round. The result marked Prado's second win in the UFC; both of which came by opening-round stoppage by ground and pound. However, sandwiched between those victories was a four-fight skid of decisions, which led Prado to believe he was fighting to stay in the promotion.
"Yeah, 100 percent," Prado said. "I really wanted this victory. I always train really hard, but I didn't have the results. I know I'm a young guy, I'm 24 years old now, and I hope this is the first of many victories in the future. ...
"I came to this company really young, when I was 20 years old. Now I'm still young, but I have experience."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC Vegas 122's Francisco Prado believed his job was on the line vs. Ismael Bonfim
