Redação VF Comunica 
Current Professional Fighters League lightweight (PFL) champion Raush Manfio will not defend his belt at the end of the season so far. With an overwhelming victory by knockout over Don Madge and a lukewarm fight against Olivier Aubin-Mercier, decided by the judges, the Brazilian didn’t accumulate the necessary points to move forward.
An MMA scholar, Raush used fair criteria, in his view, to analyze his recent performances. Despite knocking out Don Madge, he believes he could have done better in subsequent fights.
“It wasn’t a season that I liked, I’m quite the perfectionist. My team and I have already made the right moves to improve whenever we get the chance. In my first fight, even though I won by knockout and the crowd cheered, I didn’t think my performance was good until the third round. I was too comfortable! My second fight was without a knockout and once again I feel the need to say that I’m not happy with this season. In my view, it was not good because of the second fight. It’s not guaranteed that we will enter the playoffs, because of this whole issue of contract renewal, winning by points, etcetera. Before, I wanted to get there, but now I’m where I want to be. It’s very important for me that, in addition to winning, the people who watch my fights like it and are thrilled when I step into the cage”, analyzes the American Top Team athlete.
Raush also says he’s open to having superfights with champions from other events in the lightweight division. Black belt Roberto Satoshi, current Rizin champion in Japan, is already in Raush’s crosshairs.
“I think about the possibility of doing superfights with champions from other events. At Rizin, there’s Roberto Satoshi. I think it would be a show, I’ve always dreamt of fighting in Japan. The UFC is a closed door, but I would also like to fight Michael Chandler. It would be a memorable fight, I always watch his fights and I think it would be an amazing duel. Before, when I had concerns such as paying the rent, I would fight anyone. Nowadays, I see things in a different light! I want to have a brilliant career and I’m going to make the best choices for it!” says Raush.
Raush also points to Larissa Pacheco as Brazil’s outstanding athlete in the PFL. She has four straight wins, all by knockout, and fights again on August 20, in England.
“Larissa is the biggest highlight, after Kayla Harrison. I don’t know if another athlete scored 12 points, but she won two fights in the first round in a very powerful way. She’s an athlete who could pose danger even to Kayla. Kayla is a favorite, but Larissa is very dangerous in her own right. I highlight Larissa for the way she dominated her opponents, just like Kayla did on the other side. I’m sure it’ll be both of them in the final”, bets Raush.
