Carlos Leal challenges UFC top 15 and reacts to nickname given by Renato Moicano: 'Christian Loan Shark'

Carlos Leal celebrates victory in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC

Carlos Leal He already has a name in mind to take the step towards the next level in Ultimate. Even injuredThe Brazilian put on a real war against Chidi Nijokuani at UFC Houston, held last Saturday (21), and left with his arm raised after the judges' decision. Now, determined to go for the belt, the athlete is aiming for a ranked opponent in his next performance.

In an exclusive interview with SUPER LUTAS, the fighter stated that he believes he has the potential to face any name in his division, regardless of whether they are ranked or not. In this sense, he highlighted that a possible confrontation against Daniel Rodriguez This would be ideal for his entry into the top 15, since the American usually puts on exciting stand-up fights. For Leal, the duel would have great appeal to the public and could turn into a dynamic war from start to finish, with real chances of a quick finish.

“I know I have the potential to fight anyone in my weight class, ranked or not. Especially if it's a striker, I'm sure the fight would be much more exciting, more dynamic. But today, looking at it from a ranking perspective, I think a fight that would be very good, both for the audience and the public, would be against (Daniel) Rodriguez. I think he's in the top 15 and he's a guy who puts on very good fights because he also brawls, but he's more of a boxer and a southpaw. But I'm sure that, at the very least, it would be a fight that the public would enjoy because it would be dynamic from beginning to end, either it would be a war, or someone would get knocked out,” he said. Carlos Leal.

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Carlos Leal He also acknowledged that a victory over an opponent of that caliber could secure him a spot in the division's rankings. Despite this, he stressed that he is in no hurry to achieve that goal and prefers to continue accepting the challenges proposed by the organization, seeking to solidify his place through performances inside the octagon.

“If I win, I believe I would enter the rankings. But today I'm not in that hurry. I want to have good fights. If they talk about fighting so-and-so, fighting in such-and-such place, I'll fight and fight to win, earning my place that way. Because I'm not a guy who can promote himself much by talking. I like to promote myself with my performance. And then, if the UFC thinks: 'let's put this guy to the test against someone from the top', they can put me in and we'll have a great fight and I'm sure I'll win,” concluded the Brazilian.

Carlos Leal says he likes the UFC's nickname 'Christian Loan Shark'.

Although he officially carries the nickname 'The Lion' in the UFC, Carlos Leal He is also known among fans as 'Christian Loan Shark', in reference to his aggressive fighting style combined with his faith. The Brazilian revealed that he appreciates being recognized in this way by the public and even admits to finding the way the nickname gained popularity amusing.

“I actually ended up liking it. I found it quite funny the way he spoke, because the 'Christian Loan Shark' is the one who only hits, but doesn't kill. But I really liked it just because I was recognized as someone who is a Christian, because, for me, that's my biggest goal today: to be recognized as a Christian, as a man of God, as someone who tries to follow the example of the master, the Lord Jesus. So that's already a lot for me, I'm already very honored by that. It ended up being kind of funny too, and the guys liked it, and I liked it too,” he said. Carlos Leal.