Brazil is known for its passionate and intense crowd when it comes to MMA, with some even believing that Brazilian fans are so fanatical that they give their own fighters an advantage over their foreign rivals.
From throwing objects to the famous “''Oh, Vai Moller! – “You're going to die! ” In Portuguese – When it comes to UFC events, the Brazilian crowd is always the center of attention. But Peru's Kevin Borjas doesn't think home advantage will be used when he takes on Alessandro Costa in the opening round of UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro.
“First of all, Alessandro Costa is Mexican now,” Borjas said when asked about his opponent in a Spanish-language interview with MMA Junkie. “He is currently Mexican and will fight as a visitor.
“I'm going to beat him. He's not better than me. I'm far better than him and I'm ready to fight wherever the fight takes me. I'm going to get up and go to work, and that's it. Nothing that he can do will surprise me.”
Costa (13-4 MMA, 1-2 UFC) has never fought professionally in Brazil. Costa was born and raised in Manaus, Brazil, but moved to Mexico in his late teens to pursue his MMA dreams. Along with UFC star Diego Lopez, Costa opened an MMA gym in Puebla, Mexico, where he began his professional MMA career. That's why Borjas (9-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) doesn't think Costa will be popular with the Brazilian crowd.
Borjas, who is originally from Peru, believes he will have the support of fans on Saturday. His coach, Ivan Ibérico of Pitbull Martial Arts Center, is well known in the Brazilian martial arts community due to his long history in training the Brazilian fighting style, Luta Libre.
“Here in Rio de Janeiro is basically the birthplace of Luta Libre and that is my coaching specialty. I am a representative of Luta Libre and many coaches and people here have supported me. I'm not a visitor here.
For more information on the card, check out MMA Junkie's UFC 301 event hub.
The story originally appeared on MMA Junkie
