The Next Generation - Vol 3

In this piece, I highlight three promising fighters on their journey to potential UFC stardom, giving them well-deserved recognition before they reach the big stage. Each fighter is introduced with a brief background, followed by their responses to three key questions—offering insight into their mindset, expectations, and what fans can look forward to in their careers.

Rafael Tobias (Light-heavyweight, Brazil)

Tobias has been fighting since 2022 and has been very active as he's fought multiple times per year. After an unfortunate setback he has won four since. Capturing wins via decision, submission, and knockout Tobias is an interesting 205er. He has the record but not the level of opposition to be labeled as a top guy yet. He does have youth on his side at 22 which almost makes it evident he's gonna reach a big promotion at one point.

For fans who have never watched you fight, what should they expect?
"They will see a focused and resilient athlete, pushing for victory from start to finish."

What makes you different from any other fighter who steps into the cage?
"My determination and relentless drive to constantly surpass myself."

What legacy do you want to leave in the sport when it’s all said and done?
"A legacy of integrity, honor, and respect!"

Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani (Welterweight, USA)

Lebosnoyani has been a martial artist since the young age of three. By the age of ten he was already a jiu-jitsu world champion. Now, a BJJ black belt Lebosnoyani has been a staple for UFC-feeder promotion, LFA. He had a setback in 2023 losing the vacant LFA title to CS alum, JaCobi Jones. Since Lebosnoyani has moved up to welterweight. Although that seemed like a questionable move Lebosnoyani is now 2-0 at the weightclass and a major threat to the LFA title.

For the fans that's never watched you what would you tell them to expect?
"If it’s your first time ever watching me expect the unexpected. I have the ability to win the fight in spectacular fashion wherever the fight goes. I like to think of my skillset as a Swiss Army knife, lethal from everywhere."

What makes you different than any other fighter that steps into the cage?
"My ability to find the kill in the chaos. Since I started martial arts I’ve had the ability to find submissions from very unusual positions. Even if I look like I’m losing, I have the ability to catch anyone in the world."

What legacy do you wanna leave in the sport when it's all said and done?
"I want my legacy to be similar to a famous artist's work. I want my performances to be unique and recognizable. My body is my paintbrush and I want my artwork to be free of any constraints."

Tiago Pereira (Bantamweight, Brazil)

Among all the Brazilian prospects, Pereira stands out as one of the most under-the-radar fighters. It's surprising, given his impressive credentials as the Jungle Fights champion, having successfully defended his title twice. Training out of the renowned Team Nogueira gym, Pereira has consistently faced strong competition, never taking on an opponent with a losing record. While he may not rank among the very best Brazilian prospects, he’s undeniably one of the more promising fighters overall.

For the fans that's never watched you what would you tell them to expect?
"To the fighting fans who don’t know me yet, I tell them that a new era in the world of MMA is emerging. I Tiago Pereira am a complete athlete, an aggressive and very intelligent violent athlete. I'm absolutely sure that the moment you see me fight, you will be excited about my work."

What makes you different than any other fighter that steps into the cage?
"What makes me stand out from other MMA athletes is what I do inside and outside the gym. Many athletes are focused inside the gym but outside the gym, they are athletes who are not focused. They lose nights of rest with women, drinks, drugs, and so on. I'm an athlete who fights against this every day. For me, the most difficult thing is when I put my feet out of the gym. I live like an athlete daily, I feed myself like an athlete, I supplement myself like an athlete, and I drink the amount of water that an athlete has to drink daily. I live this every day because I know the future that I want to provide for my family members to my friends, and that depends only on my focus inside and outside the gym, this makes me the undefeated athlete that I am today."

What legacy do you wanna leave in the sport when it's all said and done?
"The legacy I hope to leave for future generations is to show that hard work and dedication will always be rewarded."