Ricardo Ramos’ shot at the vacant Legacy FC bantamweight title could be his ticket to the UFC.
The undefeated Brazilian, who faces Manny Vazquez in the main event of Legacy FC 51 in Hinkley, Minn., on Feb. 5, hopes that UFC president Dana White is in attendance for his 135-pound championship fight as a part of his new "Lookin’ For A Fight" series.
"I know he will be there, and that’s extra motivation for me," Ramos told MMAFighting.com. "It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to be in a situation like ‘Super’ Sage (Northcutt) was and enter the UFC. Not many events have the opportunity to have Dana White there watching the fights, so it’s a unique opportunity for me."
White tweeted in January that he’s "pumped" to be in attendance for Legacy FC 51, and "Carcacinha" plans to send him a message in his post-fight interview.
"I’m planning on sending Dana White a message after the fight," said the Brazilian. "I try to win the crowd every time I fight, with interviews or even with my walkout song."
Fighting in Minnesota, Ramos wants Bob Dylan’s "Hurricane" as his walkout song, and already envisions himself holding the Legacy FC belt.
"A title on the line also gives me more motivation," he said. "I trained harder, I got more sparring and training partners for my camp. Imagining this belt around my waist gets me super excited."
The 8-0 bantamweight was originally scheduled to face Augusto Mendes for the vacant Legacy FC title, but Vazquez stepped in as a replacement when Mendes signed with the UFC. "Carcacinha" was forced to change a few things in his strategy, but doesn’t expect it to be an issue.
"We had some changes, and they changed the opponent, but my focus is the same," he said. "My goal is to bring this belt to Brazil. I will do my best to win this fight.
"I planned on striking more with ‘Tanquinho’ (Mendes) because of his jiu-jitsu background, and my new opponent has a longer reach. I won’t have to worry that much about his ground game, even though he has a good jiu-jitsu for MMA. I have no problem going to the ground with him."
With only one decision victory in eight professional fights, Ramos plans on stopping Vazquez to win the Legacy FC gold -- and impress Dana White.
"I’m ready to finish him wherever the fight goes," "Carcacinha" said. "I’m ready to fight five rounds too if I have to. But I always go for the finish."