By Guilherme Cruz

Photo Josh Hedges

Starting in the UFC with a loss to Rousimar Palhares, the black belt Lúcio Linhares has had a difficult time on his second fight on the octagon. Scheduled to face Yushin Okami, the Alliance athlete was defeated by the Japanese in the second round, on UFC Fight Night 21.

“I thought the fight indeed was pretty good. Okami is very fast, but was too predictable and avoided the ground and blunt with the jabs. Things were going well, I was following the plan we made for the fight but then I got cut over my eye and couldn’t see anything”, reminds Linhares, feeling sorry for the interruption of the combat. “If it was my decision, I would have continued. For me it’s only done if I’m not conscious, but the doctor said it would be best for me to stop and so I did. It’s not nice to see that blood, it’s not good for the sport”.

Lúcio also says that he might not fight for the UFC anymore. “I think this was ‘the’ fight. I gave my best, didn’t give up and if I have to leave, I’ll do it with my head up. It’s really complicated my situation on UFC. Two defeats in two fight, regardless the fact I was against two top contenders. I’m not sure I’ll fight for the UFC anymore… I hope I will”, says the fighter that intends to return to his trainings. “I took off the stitches today (Wednesday), I begin to work on my physical next week and I believe that soon I can have normal trainings again".

UPDADE: According to a report from MMAJunkie, Lucio Linhares was released from his UFC contract after the second loss in the octagon.