Pedro Falcao and the Path to Restored Health

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Injuries have resulted in maddening inactivity—two appearances in 1,263 days—for Pedro Falcao, but the 32-year-old Brazilian sounds like someone who has put those woes behind him.

“I’m healthy and ready for multiple fights in a row,” he told Sherdog.com. “I’m in my best phase health-wise.”

Falcao will get back to business in the Ultimate Fighting Championship bantamweight division when he does battle with Victor Henry as part of the UFC on ESPN 65 undercard this Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. A 2021 graduate of Dana White’s Contender Series, “Pedrinho” has rattled off five wins across his past six outings. However, Falcao finds himself on the rebound following a short-notice decision loss to Victor Hugo at UFC Fight Night 240 a year ago.

“My last fight was booked with three days to go,” he said. “It’s not an excuse. I know I lost.”

Henry serves as Falcao’s next test. The former Deep champion and longtime Josh Barnett protégé has compiled a 3-2 record with one no contest during his time in the UFC, his wins over Raoni Barcelos, Tony Gravely and Rani Yahya offset by losses to Raphael Assuncao and Charles Jourdain. Henry, 37, boasts 15 finishes among his 24 professional victories.

“My opponent is very experienced and tough,” Falcao said, “but I trust in the work I’ve been putting in over the last few years. I’ve evolved a lot. I’m always looking to evolve and become the best version of me. I’m very focused on Victor. I’ll put my game into action.”

While he represents the famed Nova Uniao academy run by Andre Pederneiras in his native Brazil, Falcao split his preparation time for his latest assignment between Xtreme Couture and Hybrid Jiu-Jitsu in Las Vegas.

“I’ve been training for a while,” he said. “This fight was booked six weeks in advance. We made the adjustments. I’m ready to go to war with him. I enjoyed this training camp, and I’m excited to be facing a complete fighter.”

Falcao has not suffered back-to-back defeats in nearly a decade—a streak he would like to keep intact as he moves forward with his career at 135 pounds. His experiences in mixed martial arts have already exceeded his expectations.

“I’m very motivated by challenges,” Falcao said. “Anything is possible with the right motivation and the right people around you. Today I train with the people I used to idolize on TV.”