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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
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Matt Erickson and Ken Hathaway

Vitor Petrino wants former title challenger Anthony Smith next after UFC Fight Night 238

LAS VEGAS – Vitor Petrino beat Tyson Pedro with a unanimous decision Saturday in the UFC Fight Night 238 co-main event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Take a look inside the fight with Petrino, who ushered Pedro into retirement and stayed unbeaten in the process.

Tyson Pedro vs. Vitor Petrino

Vitor Petrino def. Tyson Pedro, UFC Fight Night 238

Result: Vitor Petrino def. Tyson Pedro via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Updated records: Petrino (11-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC), Pedro (10-5 MMA, 6-5 UFC)
Key stats: The striking was even, but Petrino had more than a full round of control time and three takedowns.

Petrino on the fight's key moment

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 02: (R-L) Vitor Petrino of Brazil battles Tyson Pedro of Australia in a light heavyweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on March 02, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

“I knew this was going to be a tough fight. This is the UFC. There’s no easy challenges. I knew that this was going to be a tough opponent, but I knew that we also needed to study a little bit of what to do. I knew that as soon as we were able to get comfortable and get things going, I was able to take him down and actually improve my game.”

Petrino on fighting Pedro in his retirement bout

Tyson Pedro retirement, UFC FIght Night 238

“Tyson Pedro was so experienced in the UFC – he’s fought a lot of fights in this organization and has been in the top 10. He’s faced some prominent fighters and some of the best fighters in the world, so it’s an honor for me to have faced him tonight.”

Petrino on what he wants next

Vitor Petrino

“I know it has to do with what the UFC wants, but I’m ready to go. I’ve asked for Anthony Smith, somebody who’s got a journey in this place, and he’s a formidable opponent, somebody that would be great matchmaking. The earlier, the better. I’m ready to fight.

“I have nothing against him. He is a guy with maximum respect, but he is a guy that I really want to fight, precisely because of this history he has in the organization. I saw him when I was walking up into the octagon, but it actually is pure coincidence because I already wanted to call him out.”

To hear more from Petrino, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 238.

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