Veteran fighter Diego Brandao recently made a strong impression not just with his performance inside the cage, but also through his distinctive fight attire.
Brandao, recognized as the first Brazilian competitor to win a season of The Ultimate Fighter back in 2011, successfully claimed and defended the Tuff-N-Uff featherweight title earlier this year. He secured finishes against promising 145-pound fighters, Jamie Siraj and Canaan Kawaihae. Fans quickly observed that during these fights, Brandao wore custom shorts originally designed for Alex Pereira`s highly anticipated bout against Jamahal Hill at UFC 300.
However, Brandao revealed that wearing Pereira`s shorts was not his initial plan.
Brandao explained in an interview that he had intended to purchase and wear the iconic yellow Brazilian shorts associated with Jose Aldo. He recounts his frustration upon arriving at the UFC Performance Institute before the Jamie Siraj fight, only to find the desired shorts unavailable. His goal was to look presentable for figures like Dana White. When he spotted shorts bearing the name “Pereira,” he found them appealing. Others present pointed out they were Alex “Poatan” Pereira`s shorts. Recalling that his own full name is Diego Pereira Brandao, he decided, “You know what? I`ll fight with these shorts.”
Interestingly, the timing of events is notable. Alex Pereira finished Jamahal Hill at the 3:14 mark of the first round at UFC 300 in April 2024. Brandao`s stoppage win over Siraj took just 14 seconds longer to achieve. In his subsequent title defense against Kawaihae, Brandao secured another knockout victory after the fight extended into the championship rounds.
Brandao attributes the situation to divine intervention, stating, “It`s God, brother.” He expressed enjoyment from the attention the “Poatan” shorts generated, leading people to call him “Mini Poatan.” He admitted a slight resemblance, particularly after shaving his head, though humbly noted that Pereira is the superior fighter. He reiterated that wearing Pereira`s shorts occurred spontaneously and “organically,” a result of not finding the Jose Aldo-style shorts, but ultimately turning out to be an even better outcome for him.
The 38-year-old veteran is currently scheduled to defend his title against Kai Kamaka III in November. However, his primary hope is to secure a deal with the UFC before then.
