For Francischinelli it is more than a chance at the championship; it’s a chance to cement himself as one of LFA’s next breakout stars on a stage built for future UFC talent. And the first thing anyone notices about the Brazilian striker is his physical presence; At an incredible 6-foot-4 and 170 pounds, it’s no surprise that he’s considered one of the promotion’s most intriguing prospects.
“I’m just a skinny boy! I know I’m so tall, but I’m just a skinny boy,” Francischinelli told Cageside Press.
“Back in the day, when (I first started), I started at 125. Just like 15 years ago of course, but I started at 125. I fought in Brazil, professionally, 155. Imagine I’m 6’6 155! It’s crazy, right?”
Francischinelli (5-0) is a rare blend of physical tools and mental acuity. The Sao Paulo native, who now trains out of California Mixed Martial Arts and Fitness in Gardena, has a way of surprising people with how quickly his calm demeanor changes the moment the cage door closes.
“Normally, I’m the person you see outside the cage. When I’m in the cage, there are two things for me. One, it’s my job, it’s serious. I have to be serious now. I’m not kidding, I’m not joking, I have to get in there and do my job,” he said.
“Second, it’s my moment. The moment is mine alone, no one else’s. I have no problem, I have no bills to pay, I have nothing. It’s just me against me. That’s what I think in there. When I’m in the cage, it’s my moment.”
Despite his imposing stature, Francischinelli carries himself with a calm that almost seems out of place in a fight week where the stakes are high. He says calmness is not an act, but the result of years of honing himself long before he ever stepped into an MMA cage.
“Before I used to get a little bit more nervous, but for MMA, my fights, I’m nice and easy. For me it’s natural. I have a lot of control because I have a lot of experience with kickboxing. That’s my base,” he said.
“I have almost 100 fights in Brazil. That’s why today I’m so calm, I’m more in control, I’m patient. I’m just looking for the opportunity and when I see the opportunity, I land it, and all the fights are over.”
At LFA 223, Francischinelli will fight for the LFA welterweight title against Piersma, who is fresh off a title win at Combat FC 10 in June.
“All the guys I face, I never say no to nobody, I always say yes. Especially my first fight. They called me the same day, hey Luis, you want to fight? My first MMA fight against the guy 3-2, high level wrestling, a lot of experience with MMA,” he said.
“185 I fought my first one. I said yeah, let’s go. I get in there, boom, beat him. It doesn’t matter to me, you know. I know he’s a tough guy. Just have respect for him and everyone else too.”
Although Francischinelli respects Piersma and every opponent he faces, his ambitions extend far beyond Friday evening. And to achieve those goals, Piersma is simply the obstacle that stands in his way, an obstacle that he wants to remove.
“I respect the guys only because we have the same goal. We want this life, but right now he is (in the way). Okay, let’s go. Let’s do this. For me, it doesn’t matter who is in front of me. If it’s hitting, wrestling or grappling. It doesn’t matter to me. That’s why I’m here. I’m here to fight. I’m ready for anything,” Francischinelli said.
A win over Piersma would keep Francischinelli undefeated, give him a title shot and give him a microphone in his hands on a major platform, the kind of moment any up-and-comer hopes for. While a UFC call-up will be on his mind, he is just as focused on the higher power that he believes has guided him to every milestone in his career.
“Of course I have to thank God. He is the only way, the only truth, the only life I have is because of him. He gave me this opportunity,” he said.
“Second, of course, I’m calling Uncle Dana! Hey, give me my chance, man! I can make good fights, make good fights for the UFC, I’m a good fighter. People love me, love my style, and when I come, I come to work.”
Watch the entire interview with Luis Francischinelli above. He will take on Jonathan Piersma for the LFA welterweight title on Friday night at LFA 223.
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