Pedro Carvalho rediscovers love for MMA ahead of PFL Belfast

A familiar face on the European mixed martial arts scene since he was a teenager, Portugal’s Pedro Carvalho remains best known to fans around the globe for his 11-fight stint in Bellator MMA.

“The Game” takes another swing at his first Professional Fighters League win when he meets Sergio Cossio in a PFL Belfast catchweight showcase on Thursday at the SSE Arena in Northern Ireland. Their confrontation will be contested at 165 pounds.

Carvalho seemed to peak in Bellator. Wins over Daniel Crawford and Luca Vitali were followed by a first-round technical knockout of Derek Campos and a face crank submission of Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran Sam Sicilia. By the time he earned a title shot against then-champion Patricio “Pitbull” Freire in 2020, Carvalho was on a six-fight winning streak. After a knockout loss to Freire, victories over Daniel Weichel and Mads Burnell were offset by losses to Jay-Jay Wilson, Piotr Niedzielski, Jeremy Kennedy and Aaron Pico. Carvalho’s luck did not improve once he was brought into the PFL fold. Controversial defeats to Brendan Loughnane and Kai Kamaka II led to a feeling of unease. Nevertheless, Carvalho looked within to find the silver linings.

A high-stakes lightweight clash headlines PFL Belfast: Tune in Thursday, April 16 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

“Retrospectively, I can only feel happy about my career up to this point,” he told Sherdog.com. “I hope that things are even better going forward.”

Even so, the setbacks against Loughnane and Kamaka were difficult to swallow.

“I felt disillusioned with the sport,” Carvalho admitted. “Both fights were very unfair. Against Loughnane, it was a bad stoppage. Even the referee apologized after the fight. Against Kamaka, I feel the judges’ decision in his favor was poorly issued. I disconnected from the sport for a long time after that. I didn’t want to have anything to do it. I wasn’t in a good space, psychologically.

“I eventually resolved to get back to training, which is something I enjoy,” he added. “I love training. That’s how I learned to love the sport again. I got back to a good place, a good mental space. My hunger to fight came back.”

Season of renewal

Carvalho returned at a Warriors Night Championship show on Oct. 18, when he captured the promotion’s vacant featherweight title with a first-round rear-naked choke submission of Damien Lapilus. It was over in 2:10.

“I didn’t necessarily have to make any corrections,” Carvalho said. “I’ve come to make use of my natural talents in the best way possible. It’s my priority now. I had spent so many years working tirelessly, trying to become world champion, but I was never employing the person I truly am. Beyond simply learning or correcting past mistakes, the key is to know how to use what I already have. I am the best version of myself now.”

Cossio presents plenty of challenges. The 31-fight veteran owns a 19-11 record, with 15 finishes among those 19 victories. He struck gold previously in the LUX Fight League organization.

“I very much enjoy facing fighters like Cossio,” Carvalho said. “He’s someone who shows up to fight. He doesn’t waste time. I think some opponents underestimated him but were surprised after not being able to submit him. Their gas ran out. He fights with a lot of heart, but I know that I’m better than him in every area. I’ll get ready for three rounds. I won’t make the mistake of wasting my energy trying to submit him in vain, as happened to other guys who fought him. I believe I can get a finish within the first two rounds, but I will simply focus on winning and showcasing what I’m capable of.”

Caravalho continues to train in and represent his native Portugal, as well as Ireland.

“I have a great connection with Ireland,” he said. “This will feel like a home game. I am very proud that people see me as—and call me—Ireland’s adoptive son. I look at Ireland with a lot of love and respect. They’ve always supported me as one of their own. I’m very thankful for that, and I’ll represent them wherever I go. That’s how it will be on fight night.”

Carvalho, who turns 31 in June, feels positive about the future.

“I’m focused on accomplishing much more in my 30s than I did in my 20s,” he said. “I already captured a belt. I’ll continue my climb. I’m excited to carve my path in the PFL.”