LAS VEGAS – Lucas Fernando met the media Saturday after his win over Billy Elekana at UFC Fight Night 293.

Fernando (15-3 MMA, 2-0 UFC) outworked Elekana (10-3 MMA, 3-2 UFC) for a unanimous decision on the main card at the Meta APEX. Fernando had a strong first two rounds, then held off Elekana’s late rally.

Fernando highlights, UFC Fight Night 293

Fernando key quotes, UFC Fight Night 293

“I really wanted and looked for the knockout. But in the first round, I threw a punch and felt something happen to my hand. I think it's OK. I managed to continue the fight, but I'm just a bit sad I couldn't get the knockout I really wanted and worked for. I tried to prioritize my kicks, but I was still throwing punches. I just don't think I could put as much power or pressure behind my hand anymore. But that's our sport. Our sport is about violence. We try to frame it differently, but it's really just pure violence. You have to push the healthy side of things aside, tap into your wild side and just go into savage mode to keep throwing.”

“It took me a long time just to get to the UFC. But now that I'm finally here, I want to use every performance to prove that I didn't get here by accident and that I belong. I think if I had gotten the knockout tonight, the UFC probably would have given me (a bigger) test right away. But let's see what they think. We will see what Mick Maynard and Hunter Campbell say. Either way, I'm going to go back to the gym, keep working hard, and whatever challenge the UFC brings next, I'll be ready for it.”

“There is a name I see as a very interesting matchup for me, and it's a fight that would grab the public's attention. He is a guy who is ranked pretty far ahead. I know I'm just getting started here, but a fight I would really like to have is against Reinier de Ridder. He's a tough opponent, but I didn't come here to play around. We came here to fight the biggest and the best. I think it would be highly interesting. He's a guy who looks for the grappling, but he can also strike. I think that with a good game plan, I have what it takes to go out there and finish that fight.”

Fernando post-fight interview, UFC Fight Night 293

See the video above.