Felipe Franco is set to chase his first UFC victory when he meets Levi Rodrigues Jr. at UFC Oklahoma City.
Franco returns to his original light heavyweight division for the bout after stepping up to heavyweight on short notice for his UFC debut this past March, a decision loss to Mario Pinto at UFC London. Pinto, who was 2-0 in the UFC with two knockouts at the time, attempted 14 takedowns in that fight, the most of his UFC and Dana White’s Contender Series career.
“Stepping into the UFC octagon for the first time was a magical experience,” Franco said. “It was something spectacular, a once-in-a-lifetime moment. And facing a guy who was coming off several knockout wins and finishing fights in the UFC, with all the hype surrounding him, then going all three rounds and showing that I have the potential and that I truly deserve to be in the UFC, it was very special. We didn’t get the win, but I received a lot of praise. I took those compliments, used them as motivation, kept working, and now I’m ready for my second UFC fight.”
Franco, who has finished all his MMA wins by stoppage with six knockouts and four submissions, now gets a full training camp for Rodrigues Jr., who will make his UFC debut in Oklahoma City after a suspension for a failed drug test following his Dana White’s Contender Series win in October of 2025.
