UFC: Tyson Pedro to face undefeated Brazilian Vitor Petrino March 2 in Las Vegas after stint on Gladiators

Tyson Pedro has been learning from Nathan Cleary and Israel Adesanya, and after a stint on Gladiators, is preparing for his next fight.

Tyson Pedro has locked in his next fight on March 2 in Las Vegas. Picture: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

The producers on Gladiators immediately knew that they’d made a mistake putting Tyson Pedro – or Dragon, as he was known on the show – on the Pyramid.

One perfect tackle, which saw Pedro and the poor contestant tumbling from near the top of the Pyramid down eight levels to padded floor, and they’d seen enough.

It was a viral moment for the revamped game show, but it was one and done for UFC star Pedro.

“I pumped myself up, but after that, I got put on the ones that didn’t allow me to hurt anyone,” Pedro tells this masthead of his time on the show. “I think they saw that and were like, ‘Noooo’ and that was it for the pyramids.

“I was on the rings where there was no energy to hit them. I didn’t get put on any of the tackling or wrestling ones.”

Pedro will have plenty of opportunities to hit, tackle, wrestle and kick again on March 2 after locking in his next opponent, undefeated Brazilian Vitor Petrino.

The Las Vegas light-heavyweight showdown will take place on the same weekend as the NRL’s season launch in Sin City, but Pedro is solely focused on the 10-0 Petrino.

Not that he doesn’t love his footy.

A mad Panthers fan, the 32-year-old is a regular at Penrith games, although banned himself from attending last year’s epic decider, “after the last grand final I went to … but we’ll leave that for another story.”

Pedro is also close mates and business partners with Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary.

Nathan Cleary in the house, watching @tyson_pedro_’s walkout. #UFC293pic.twitter.com/K5fWXmeV6z

— Brendan Bradford (@1bbradfo) September 10, 2023

Less than 24 hours after scoring a try in Penrith’s qualifying final win over the Warriors in September, Cleary had the best seat in the house to watch Pedro’s stunning first round knockout of Anton Turkalj at UFC 293 at Qudos Bank Arena.

“In one of the highlight vids, you can see me doing the finish and he’s in the background celebrating” Pedro remembers.

“It’s pretty cool. We’re always in the group chats pumping each other up before fights and games.

“It’s pretty cool having one of the greatest players of his era, and maybe ever in the game. It’s always good to be around that greatness.

“He’s wise beyond his years, and that’s a testament to how he plays.”

Pedro celebrates his win over Anton Turkalj. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

Pedro doesn’t need any fighting advice from Cleary, but says he always looks for “the secret sauce” that makes him tick.

He does the same with Israel Adesanya during his training camps in Auckland, and has adopted a new, ultra-focused mentality.

“I put so much focus into the last camp, but then I realised that this is what I should be doing for every fight,” he said. “I want to be that dialled in for this one as well.

“It’s just tunnel vision, really getting into that flow state. That’s how I should be for every fight.

“It was the first time I didn’t bring computers – usually I bring them and I’ll game – but that time and this time, I’m just here, writing and reading.

“Not gonna lie though, sometimes Netflix does slip in there. But I’m just so dialled in, so focused.”

Vitor Petrino is coming off a thunderous one-punch knockout of Modestas Bukauskas. Picture: Getty Images.

Just like getting caked in makeup and wearing a skin-tight one-piece for Gladiators, it’s about getting out of his comfort zone.

Which is why, when asked how his fight with Petrino will end, Pedro doesn’t give the stock standard answer of a highlight reel knockout.

For this one, he says, it’s about going the distance.

“I don’t know why but I’m seeing a decision,” says Pedro, whose six UFC wins so far have all come in the first round. “I really want to get a decision on my record.

“The decisions on there now aren’t that good, so I think I’m owed one.

“But, if it does come before that, it’s a blessing.”

Originally published as UFC: Tyson Pedro to face undefeated Brazilian Vitor Petrino March 2 in Las Vegas after stint on Gladiators