UFC 142: Ricardo Funch's Exclusive Interview

After being introduced to the world of mixed martial arts in his younger years, Ricardo Funch immediately wanted to try his hand at the sport.

“When I was a senior in college, I met a guy who was a wrestler,” Funch, 31, recently explained to Bleacher Report. “He asked me if I knew (Brazilian jiu-jitsu)—being that I was from Brazil—and I replied that I (had) never heard of it. He was surprised and showed me a tape of the first UFC with Royce (Gracie) in it.

“I instantly wanted to try that...I just wanted to do it and announced it to my teacher the first day I met him.”

Ultimately, Funch, who practiced Capoeira for half a decade in his youth, carried through with his intentions of someday taking to the canvas.

Between the fall of 2006—when he made his professional debut in New Hampshire—and the summer of 2008, Funch won his first seven matches.

Unfortunately for Funch, he lost his Octagon debut to Johny Hendricks at UFC 107.

From there, Funch would go on to be submitted by Claude Patrick six months later at UFC 115.

After dropping his first two matches in the Octagon, Funch and the UFC shortly thereafter parted ways.

Now, Funch, who registered a unanimous decision victory over Ryan Quinn in early December, is in the final stages of his preparations for his forthcoming return to the Octagon. In his native country of Brazil, Funch is to take on Mike Pyle at UFC 142 on January 14.

According to Funch, who trains under the Team Link banner in Massachusetts, he is anticipating his return to both the biggest stage of the sport and his home country.

“I feel good,” noted Funch. “I got to the UFC the first time after four years of training under my belt without having any previous background in the disciplines that prevail in the UFC today. I'm more mature and I hope to go farther the second time around...At the first time, I was physically ready, but not mentally. This time, I'm more mentally ready.

“It feels great, and it’s a real dream to be fighting in Brazil for the first time.”

Although Funch is hoping for a win and is anxious to see how far he can progress in the world of mixed martial arts, he is careful to avoid making any bold predictions—both in the short- and long-term.

“I'm expecting to do what I have trained,” Funch offered. “I have to go in there and worry about my game plan and not his...I don’t know what I can accomplish if I don’t try. I'm trying right now and I'm also curious to know how far I can go.

“I have not put thought into (how much longer I’d like to compete). I guess as long as I'm having fun, because life is about living it and not going through the motions. If it’s fun, I'll be doing it. If it becomes an obligation, I won’t pursue it anymore.”