Diego Brandao recently garnered attention not only for his impressive performances inside the cage but also for his distinctive ring attire.
Brandao, who in 2011 became the first Brazilian fighter to win a season of The Ultimate Fighter, successfully captured and defended the Tuff-N-Uff featherweight championship earlier this year. He secured these titles with decisive stoppage victories over up-and-coming 145-pound fighters Jamie Siraj and Canaan Kawaihae. Many observers were quick to notice that he wore custom shorts designed for Alex Pereira, specifically those intended for Pereira`s high-profile bout against Jamahal Hill at UFC 300.
However, sporting Alex Pereira`s gear was not Brandao`s initial plan.
Brandao shared the surprising reason: “I intended to purchase Jose Aldo shorts, the yellow Brazilian ones… When I arrived at the [UFC Performance Institute] before the Jamie fight, they had no shorts available. I was quite frustrated. `Damn, there are no shorts. I want to resemble Jose Aldo. I want to look presentable for Dana White, for them to see.` Then I spotted the Pereira shorts… People informed me, `Take these, they`re Alex Poatan`s.` And my full name, in case you didn`t know, is Diego Pereira Brandao. I thought, `You know what? I`ll compete in these shorts.`”
It`s worth noting the parallel timing: while Pereira defeated Hill in the first round at the 3:14 mark in April 2024, Brandao`s finish of Siraj occurred just 14 seconds later. Brandao`s subsequent title defense against Kawaihae went into the championship rounds before he sealed another knockout victory.
Brandao reflected on the outcome: “It feels like divine intervention, because I won the fight, and people are extensively discussing the `Poatan` shorts, even calling me `Mini Poatan.` I genuinely enjoy that. I`ve even shaved my head, and I do bear a slight resemblance to Mini Poatan, though he is certainly superior. It was something that happened naturally. I originally desired the yellow Jose Aldo shorts for my return to the United States, but I ended up with Poatan`s instead. It turned out to be even better.”
The 38-year-old veteran is currently slated to defend his Tuff-N-Uff title against Kai Kamaka III in November. Nevertheless, his primary aspiration remains securing a contract with the UFC in the near future.
