LAS VEGAS – A childhood dream for Jean Matsumoto became reality Tuesday at the UFC Apex.
Undefeated lightweight Matsumoto (14-0) stepped into the cage for the first fight of Dana White’s Contender Series 62 to face Kasey Tanner. After a 15-minute thriller, UFC CEO Dana White entered the cage to greet both fighters – something that has only happened once before in the history of the show.
Matsumoto won the contest by unanimous decision, and considering White’s reaction to the bout, didn’t have to worry the rest of the evening to know if he would win a UFC contract too. White showed his cards, and rightfully so for the incredible fight. It all became official four fights later: Matsumoto realized a dream he had as a young child and became a UFC fighter.
“I started training at six years old, and I decided to move on to MMA at eight years old,” Matsumoto explained to MMA Junkie and other reporters through an interpreter at a post-fight news conference. “Ever since that happened, I set my goals and said that I was going to be in the UFC. Obviously, being so young and having all that experience is very important. I feel ready to be in the UFC.”
Now that he’s in, the 24-year-old Brazilian is ready to get to work, and appears eager to please the UFC brass. If he gets his next wish, he wants his third fight of the year to take place on a rumored card expected to take place in Florida.
“I came here to work. Whatever Dana says, I’m ready to go,” Matsumoto said. “I want to be the employee of the month, and whatever they say, I’ll be ready to fight. It’s what I love. I train all the time. If I could, I’d train 24 hours a day, I’d never stop. I heard there’s a card in Orlando at the end of the year, and I would love to see Disney.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for DWCS 62.
Jean Matsumoto’s childhood UFC dream materialized on Dana White’s Contender Series