UFC 262’s Lando Vannata says no turning back on featherweight move: ‘It’s all in or nothing now’
HOUSTON – With nearly five years on the UFC roster and four “Fight of the Night” bonuses along the way, Lando Vannata is happy with his standing in the sport – even if not everything has gone exactly his way.
“I wish I would have been more serious about it from the get-go,” Vannata told MMA Junkie on Wednesday at UFC 262 media day. “Maybe not ‘serious’ is the right word, but more consistent from the get-go. But other than that, no, I’ve learned a lot of great lessons in the sport through my opponents and through my coaches and through my teammates and through my ups and downs. I could say, yeah, I’d love to change some things, but the reality of it is I’m really friggin’ happy where I’m at right now.”
Of course, just being happy wasn’t enough for “Groovy” Lando.
While he’s given fans several memorable performances over the years, he also has yet to win consecutive fights in the octagon. His latest “Fight of the Night” loss to Bobby Green last August proved especially frustrating, and Vannata said it forced him to consider changes that he has since addressed.
“Just growing up, becoming more confident,” Vannata said. “Become more emotionally mature. Not fighting on my shield every single time and not becoming provoked inside the cage, so to say. Just growing up.
“I came in here five years ago when I was what, 23 years old, 24 years old? I’m growing up in the UFC.”
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Vannata (11-5-2 MMA, 3-5-2 UFC) gets an opportunity to show his growth at Saturday’s UFC 262, where he takes on English featherweight Mike Grundy (12-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC). It’s a new weight class for Vannata, who had previously been competing at 155 pounds, and he believes the matchup provides him an opportunity to make an immediate impact.
“Mike’s a tough guy,” Vannata said. “He’s a great wrestler, great submission artist, but f*ck him. I’m going out there to f*cking put on a show, man, and to reintroduce myself to the UFC, introduce myself to this division. Like, let’s go.
“You’re not going to hold me down. … I can f*cking wrestle. My submission wrestling, my ground game? Top notch. Like, I’m ready. Let’s go.”
With 10 UFC fights already to his name, Vannata believes Saturday’s event at the Toyota Center marks a milestone for him. Now it’s on to the next 10, and Vannata believes he’s truly ready to fulfill the potential that he’s shown glimpses of from the moment he debuted in the promotion.
“There’s no turning back,” Vannata said. “You’ve got to burn the ships. It’s all in or nothing now.”
UFC 262 airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.
To hear the full interview with Vannata, check out the video above.
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