Rodolfo Vieira plans to bounce back from massive upset loss at UFC on ESPN 26

LAS VEGAS – Rodolfo Vieira intends to move past his devastating first MMA loss on Saturday with a big win at UFC on ESPN 26.

Vieira (7-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) was on the receiving end of one of the biggest upsets of the year thus far in February when he was submitted by Anthony Hernandez. It was a shocking outcome because of Vieira’s grappling credentials, but he said he’s made the fixes.

“I was not expecting to be submitted like that, but I was so exhausted,” Vieira told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s UFC on ESPN 26 media day. “So tired that anybody could have submitted me in that situation.”

Vieira will attempt to bounce back at UFC on ESPN 26 when he meets Dustin Stoltzfus (13-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) in a middleweight bout. The event takes place at the UFC Apex and airs on ESPN.

The Brazilian thinks he can rebound in a big way against Stoltzfus, and said that’s his plan.

Watch the video above to hear Vieira’s complete UFC on ESPN 26 media day interview, where he discusses the loss to Hernandez, his fear when fighting, and more.