UFC Oklahoma City newcomer Levi Rodrigues Jr. confident he’ll become a 3-division champion

Levi Rodrigues Jr. makes his UFC debut at UFC Oklahoma City with confidence bordering on prophecy. The undefeated Brazilian light heavyweight, nicknamed "Baby Monster," faces fellow countryman Felipe Franco in a three-round bout at the Paycom Center, carrying with him a record of five finishes and one no-contest, plus previous experience at heavyweight and middleweight across MMA, muay Thai, and kickboxing.

Rodrigues Jr. arrived at the UFC after a first-round knockout victory on Dana White's Contender Series, though that result was overturned to no-contest following a failed drug test for a nandrolone metabolite. He attributes the banned substance to medical injections he received after a severe jiu-jitsu injury that left him bedridden for six months, and says he was unaware of the prohibited compound. After serving his suspension, the UFC retained him on contract, fulfilling a lifelong dream he has harbored since age twelve.

Now at the threshold of his octagon career, Rodrigues Jr. has set an ambitious goal: winning titles at light heavyweight, middleweight, and heavyweight—a feat no fighter has yet achieved. Alex Pereira attempted to become the first multi-division champion in recent years but fell short when he lost to Ciryl Gane in June. "In the name of the Lord Jesus, that if God gave me the opportunity, I will win the 205, 185, and heavyweight titles," Rodrigues Jr. declared.

He expects Franco, a 25-year-old teammate of Jailton Almeida, to employ a wrestling-heavy approach similar to Almeida's submission-oriented style. Franco lost his promotional debut to heavyweight prospect Mario Pinto in March. Rodrigues Jr. expressed respect for his opponent while promising aggressive entertainment: every fight will be "a war," he said, one designed to give fans a memorable show rather than a technical stalemate.