Joanderson Brito on the Upswing

Momentum builds behind Joanderson Brito with each successive conquest inside the Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight division.

The 29-year-old Brazilian will attempt to move one step closer to a Top 15 ranking in the 145-pound weight class when he squares off with Jack Shore in the featured UFC 301 prelim on Saturday at Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro. Brito booked his sport on the roster via Dana White’s Contender Series in August 2021, fell short in his promotional debut opposite Bill Algeo some five months later and then proceeded to rattle off four consecutive victories, all of them finishes. He last competed at UFC Fight Night 232, where he put away Jonathan Pearce with a ninja choke in the second round of their Nov. 18 pairing.

“I’m very happy with how things have played out,” Brito told Sherdog.com. “Looking back at my accomplishments, everything that’s happened has been propelling me towards a championship. I’ve been on this road for some time, through thick and thin. I went on a years-long winning streak. I did have a few unexpected mishaps, but things have gone as planned since then.”

Shore, 29, serves as a difficult next test. The former Cage Warriors Fighting Championship titleholder carries an impressive 17-1 record into the cage, having suffered his only setback to Ricky Simon via arm-triangle choke nearly two years ago. Shore, a longtime bantamweight, has not suited up since he disposed of Makwan Amirkhani with a second-round rear-naked choke at UFC 286 on March 18, 2023.

“Shore moves very well, especially since he came from the weight class below,” Brito said. “He’s had good knockouts and submissions, but I don’t think it’s anything special. It’s nothing I haven’t overcome before. I’ll beat him, too.”

Brito expects a hostile crowd to greet the Welshman.

“This fight will be in Brazil,” he said. “I’ll be fighting at home with the fans at my side. It’s a big plus for me.”

Ahead of his looming showdown with Shore, Brito continues to operate out of the Chute Boxe satellite fronted by Joao Emilio in Sao Paulo, Brazil. In addition to Emilio, Melquizael Costa, Igor da Silva and Marcirley Alves all played significant roles in his latest camp, along with Claisson Bilieri, Lenny Lovato, Henrique Gomes and Ervani Rodrigo Melonio. It was a team effort.

“I’ve been training hard for this opponent, same as always,” Brito said. “I’ve been putting emphasis on my physical conditioning and boxing, and I sharpened my jiu-jitsu.”

Brito, who once sought to be matched with Dan Ige, has since turned his attention to longtime contender Brian Ortega. However, Ortega submitted Yair Rodriguez with a rear-naked choke at UFC Fight Night 237 in February and remains on a short list of potential suitors for current featherweight champion Ilia Topuria. Brito first has to take care of business against Shore.

“My focus is to reach the Top 5,” he said. “I don’t think about the belt or anything like that. I believe it’s where I belong.”