Nova Uniao Prospect Kaue Fernandes Signs with UFC for Nov. 4 Debut

Nova Uniao featherweight prospect Kaue Fernandes hopes to follow in the accomplished footsteps of Nova Uniao stablemate Jose Aldo.

Fernandes recently signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship with his debut expected for Nov. 4 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. An opponent has not been confirmed for the bout.

A former Shooto Brazil featherweight champion who most recently competed under the Legacy Fighting Alliance banner, Fernandes has been tabbed by some as the heir apparent to the retired former UFC featherweight champion. Fernandes is a native of Rio de Janeiro who began practicing muay thai at age 7. Since finishing his studies, he didn't choose the natural path of his classmates. His university has been the gym, where he learns new techniques, hones the old ones and pursues his training as a professional fighter.

The presence of accomplished athletes at Nova Uniao provides motivation for the long journey. Inspiration, seen on television and in the newspapers, stands right beside him in the stifling gym in the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro.

“It's a great inspiration to look to one side and have a champion, look to the other side and have another champion,” Fernandes said. “It's high-level training, it gives you an extra desire to train. The best thing you can have is a bunch of people to look up to every day. We have Jose Aldo, Dudu Dantas, Leo Santos, who was amazing in jiu-jitsu. That makes you motivated to give your all every day.”