Coach: 'More unpredictable' Brunno Ferreira will neutralize Ikram Aliskerov

Brunno Ferreira arrives in Baku this weekend to face Ikram Aliskerov at UFC Baku on Saturday, marking a rescheduled matchup originally slated for July's UFC 318. Ferreira's coach Andre "Dida" expressed confidence in his fighter's preparation, highlighting the Brazilian's unpredictability, judo, jiu-jitsu skills, and knockout power as advantages over the Russian competitor.

Ferreira touched down in Azerbaijan on Thursday with coach Dida to acclimate to the local time zone. The UFC 318 bout was postponed when Aliskerov withdrew due to injury; Ferreira instead faced replacement Jackson McKey and won by first-round submission.

Dida noted that Aliskerov has maintained a consistent fighting style since his Brave tenure, but believes Ferreira's versatility and unpredictability will prove decisive. "He is coming very prepared for this fight," Dida said. "'Hulk' is more unpredictable and also has a good judo and jiu-jitsu game. He also has KO power. So he has all the tools to surprise and neutralize the Russian."

Dida, who has coached Bruno Silva against Alex Pereira, also reflected on Pereira's recent heavyweight loss to Ciryl Gane. He predicted that Pereira's loss of reach advantage at heavyweight against a long-range, mobile striker like Gane would create problems—a forecast that proved accurate. Meanwhile, Dida is training Mauricio "Shogun" Rua for an upcoming pure boxing match against Glover Teixeira at Spaten Fight Night 3 in August. Rua is energized by training exclusively for boxing after a lifetime in MMA, and Dida expects an exciting main event between two aggressive, knockout-hunting competitors.