Former TUF 14 champion Diego Brandao is feeling a mix of nostalgia and motivation as he returns to the Palms Casino Resort — the same venue where he first made his name in the UFC — to defend his Tuff-N-Uff featherweight title against Kai Kamaka this Saturday.
Brandao, now 38, has been on a mission to rebuild his career. After leaving the Russian MMA scene earlier this year, he’s put together an impressive streak with two devastating knockouts, proving he still has plenty left in the tank.
“I’m fighting where I became [TUF] champion, where I made my family proud, where I bought my mom her house,” Brandao told MMA Fighting. “This is my opportunity. This fight is for my family — to earn my place in the UFC. In my mind, this is the Ultimate Fighter finale.”
After years of experience at the highest level — including UFC bouts against Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier — Brandao is confident he can make one more run to the top. He’s treating every fight like a UFC audition, believing that another dominant win will push him closer to his goal.
“I’m really excited to defend my belt for the second time,” Brandao said. “The confidence the promotion has shown in me, the opportunities they’ve given — there’s no way to take that for granted. I’ve got everything I need to put on a show. To get back to the UFC, it’s just throwing down. They’re throwing prospects my way, and I’m ready.”
Brandao was expecting a call from UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby after his last knockout but decided not to wait around. Instead, he’s keeping his momentum rolling by taking another fight before the end of 2025. His opponent, Kai Kamaka, brings a solid résumé with stints in Bellator and PFL, entering this fight on a two-fight win streak.
“They told me they’d call if someone got injured,” Brandao explained. “I was anxious at first, but I decided to focus on my life and my training. If it’s meant to happen, it will. My name is already on their table.”
Having gone 6-4 inside the UFC, Brandao knows what it takes to succeed under the bright lights. Now training with Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn alongside rising talents like Steve Garcia and Aaron Pico, the Brazilian veteran believes he can still climb to the very top.
“If I come back, I’m coming back for the championship,” Brandao said. “If I step foot in the UFC again, I’m going to be champion. I just need one good fight, two good fights — and I’ll be right there in the title mix.”
After more than a decade since his breakout moment, Diego Brandao’s fire still burns bright — and his dream remains the same: a UFC gold belt wrapped around his waist once again.
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