guilherme pat is back under the lights at UFC Vegas 115, and the heavyweight says the pressure that marked his first trip to the octagon is no longer weighing on him. He meets Thomas Petersen on April 4 at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, with the fight framed by Pat’s push for a more complete performance after his debut win over Allen Frye Jr. in December. This time, Pat says the goal is simple: arrive sharper, stay calm, and look for a knockout finish.
Guilherme Pat returns with a clearer mindset
Pat’s first UFC appearance ended in a decision victory over previously unbeaten Allen Frye Jr., a result that improved his MMA record to 6-0 but left him wanting more. He said the debut felt tense because the moment was new, and the pressure of fighting in the UFC “kind of froze my game. ” For this camp, the focus shifted toward the mental side of the fight, with Pat saying the work was about removing doubts and entering the cage with a different mindset.
The Brazilian heavyweight said he felt some of his hesitation came from reacting to Frye Jr. ’s approach, since he had entered expecting a striking battle. Instead, Frye Jr. came forward and pressed him to the fence, which Pat said disrupted his rhythm at the wrong moment. He now believes a more committed approach could have produced a stoppage in the third round, and that lesson has shaped his preparation for this bout.
Thomas Petersen presents a different challenge
Pat’s opponent, Thomas Petersen, comes in with more UFC experience, but Pat says he is studying ways to take control early and avoid waiting for Petersen to dictate the action. Pat said the plan is to shut down takedown attempts and work the striking, while identifying openings from Petersen’s previous losses. Those losses, Pat said, offer useful reference points for how the fight may play out.
One fight preview set Pat as a slight betting favorite at -105, while Petersen entered as a slight underdog at -115. That same preview pointed to Pat’s height and reach advantages, along with his counterpunching, as reasons he could stay out of range and force Petersen to come forward.
Why this fight matters for Pat
Pat made clear that the debut win was important, especially after earlier visa issues had canceled multiple opportunities on Dana White’s Contender Series. He said the victory brought relief, but the manner of it still left room for improvement because he wanted a more emphatic ending. In his view, the first UFC outing settled questions about belonging on the roster, and now the challenge is to prove he can deliver something stronger in his second appearance.
The timing adds another layer. Pat turns 32 weeks after the fight, and he enters UFC Vegas 115 with what he described as a drama-free camp. That has given him space to focus on execution instead of outside distractions, which he believes can make the difference against Petersen.
What Guilherme Pat expects next
Pat’s own words point toward a direct target: a knockout, and not another decision. He said a knockout would have been the perfect ending in December, and he wants to save that finish for this bout at the Meta APEX. If he can control range, avoid the mistakes from his debut, and force Petersen into the exchanges he wants, Guilherme Pat will leave UFC Vegas 115 with the kind of result he has been chasing from the start.
