Nikolas Motta sees good shot at Performance of the Night vs. Manuel Torres at UFC on ESPN 46

Nikolas Motta thinks he has a promising opportunity to leave Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 46 event with an extra $50,000 in his pocket.

Motta (13-4 MMA, 1-1 UFC) is set to meet Manuel Torres (13-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) in a lightweight bout on the card at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, which airs on ESPN following prelims on ESPN2 and ESPN+. When assessing the matchup, he sees the potential for a definitive end that could secure a bonus from the promotion.

“I think Manual is a good fight for me and for him,” Motta told reporters at Wednesday’s UFC on ESPN 46 media day. “I think we can get Performance of the Night. I’m in my best shape ever. I improved my grappling a lot working with Jake Shields. I improve my striking a lot working with Ray Sefo. I have so many good training partners at Xtreme Couture, and I’m ready.”

Motta, 30, is coming off a first-round TKO win over Cameron VanCamp at UFC Fight Night 210 in September in what was his first win inside the octagon. Torres, meanwhile, will return from a 13-month layoff after stopping Frank Camacho by first-round TKO in his debut at UFC on ESPN 36 in May 2022.

To hear more from Motta, watch his complete UFC on ESPN 46 media day interview above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 46.