After winning 15 of his last 17 professional fights, Carlos Leal Miranda will finally achieve his goal and fight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

The Brazilian is on short notice to face Rinat Fakhretdinov at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. What makes the situation even more interesting is that someone who hasn't fought in the UFC and lives in Curitiba, Brazil was able to accept such a call from the promotion the week of the fight. The foundation stone for the move was laid in August 2023.

After losing by decision to Sadibou Sy in the second straight Professional Fighters League semifinal, Leal decided it was time to leave the PFL and try to achieve his goal of fighting in the UFC.

“When I got into the PFL my goal was to become a champion. I came very close to it in the first season and decided to give it another try. When I lost the second time, me and my team decided it was time to go,” Leal said.

Although things didn't go as planned in the PFL, “The Lion” recognizes that the organization was important to his growth.

“PFL was a great (learning experience) for me,” he said. “Thanks to this promotion, I was able to provide a better life for my family and even buy a house for my mother. PFL has also helped me develop as a man and fighter. So I’m just grateful to them.”

Leal and his manager then devised a plan that would bring him closer to his dream of making it to the UFC.

“We knew the best path to the UFC was to win the LFA title,” Leal said.

Before joining LFA, his team decided to accept an invitation to fight at UAE Warriors 48, where Leal Marcio Breno eliminated Rodrigues Braga in the first round. Four months later, Leal finally made his LFA debut, beating Manuel Mena in the first round on his first move to earn a shot at the LFA title.

Twelve weeks ago, his manager learned that UFC 308 would take place the same week as UAE Warriors 55 in Abu Dhabi.

“He put me on this map with a clear strategy,” Leal said. “If any welterweight or middleweight fighter had a problem at UFC 308, I would already be here.” But even if no one withdraws from the card, it would be a great opportunity to perform for UFC people and have a chance to keep my contract to get.”

When the first part of the plan came together, Leal needed a little help to make his dream a reality.

“The UAE Warriors said they would allow me to fight in the UFC if we got a replacement for me, and my trainer, Rodrigo Cavalheiro Correia, immediately stepped in and agreed to a catchweight fight on Tuesday against my former opponent.

Cavalheiro, who is 41, defeated Erkin Darmenov by first-round knockout at UAE Warriors 55 on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Leal prepares to face Fakhretdinov on short notice. Although it is the first time in 26 professional appearances that he will face an opponent from Russia, Leal is not worried.

“There were a lot of top Russians in my department, so I have been studying them for a long time,” he said. “I'm really happy to finally be able to realize my dream of fighting in the UFC against a strong opponent like Rinat. I have no doubt it will be a tough fight. There couldn’t be a better way to achieve my goal.”