The Farmasi Arena belongs to the Brazilians tonight. Fans are just a few fights away from the UFC Rio main event, flooding the arena with energy. Naturally, the Brazilian crowd erupts for their hometown hero, Charles Oliveira, who will headline against Mateusz Gamrot. But the action is far from over, as the prelims still feature a high-stakes flyweight clash between American Clayton Carpenter and Brazilian standout Jafel Filho. Both men aim to redeem themselves after tough losses earlier this year, and this fight could shape the future of the division.

For instance, Carpenter lost by decision to ‘Team Khabib’ member Tagir Ulanbekov—a night of mixed fortunes for the Nurmagomedovs, as Umar Nurmagomedov also fell short at UFC 311 on the same night. Meanwhile, veteran Jafel Filho, who recently lost to Allan Nascimento, had previously defeated Dagestani Mohammad Mokaev, who Dana White released last year after his misstep at UFC 304. Learning from past lessons, Filho dominated on the mat, executing an “absolutely beautiful” kimura sweep that secured a first-round submission victory.

As for Clayton Carpenter, he felt the sting of defeat sharply. He tapped multiple times, but the referee missed it, forcing the Arizona fighter to tap again—a harsh reminder of how unforgiving the UFC can be. With these straight-to-back losses, Carpenter is now 2-2 in his overall UFC outings, which could hurt his dream of breaking into the top 15.

In contrast, Jafel Filho’s victory lifts his record to 17-4, delivering a proud moment for his hometown fans. Fighting out of “The Marvelous City,” the Brazilian standout continues to carve a name for himself, igniting the crowd with every performance.

Jafel Filho sends a message to the Brazilians after his UFC Rio win

Like many of his fellow Brazilians, Jafel Filho draws strength from his faith in God. A veteran of the MMA world since 2012, Filho has amassed 21 wins over more than a decade, steadily climbing the ranks despite facing challenges in building his resume and making a name on the Brazilian fight scene. Now, stepping onto the grand stage of the UFC—a dream realized for the 32-year-old—Filho is leaving his mark. He enters the cage with momentum, boasting a 4-1 record in his last five UFC bouts, most recently securing a first-round submission over American contender Clayton Carpenter.

After the fight, Filho let his faith shine in his post-fight Octagon interview. When asked about his feelings winning on home soil, he said: “Hey guys. The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ to all of Brazil. The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ to America. Guys, before I’m up here as a fighter, I’m a pastor, a preacher of the gospel, and I have some news for you. Regardless of what you win on this earth, what matters is this: Heaven—heaven is real. Heaven is more important. So, Brazil, wake up! America, wake up! Because Jesus is coming back.”

What’s your take on Jafel Filho’s performance at UFC Rio? Could the Brazilian flyweight ride this momentum and climb toward a title shot while in the prime of his career? Share your thoughts below.