Aaron Jeffery, Bruno Assis hoping SFT 23 main event win leads back to bigger stages

Aaron Jeffery and Bruno Assis find themselves facing nearly identical circumstances.

Canada’s Jeffery (7-2) steps into the cage against Brazil’s Assis (9-4) in a middleweight matchup headlining SFT 23 in Wynwood, FL on Thursday night.

Following a Contender Series (DWCS) debut loss to Brendan Allen last summer, the 27-year-old Jeffery believes a victory over Assis could represent another stepping stone toward a return to the elite level.

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"I'm not entirely certain about the behind-the-scenes mechanics, but if they felt comfortable putting me on the Contender Series, I'd assume they'd have been open to bringing me into the UFC following a victory," Jeffery told MMA Empire.

"If I can string together a few more wins after this, I believe I should definitely be back in that conversation."

The 28-year-old Assis occupies a comparable situation, having also fallen in his DWCS debut back in 2018 to Andre Muniz.

Just like his opponent, Assis sees Thursday's main event as a prime chance to rebuild his path toward another DWCS appearance.

"That's the objective—to demonstrate I'm ready for a new opportunity and to compete against the best fighters globally," Assis shared with MMA Empire.

A DWCS Experience That Changed Everything

Even though he left DWCS without securing either a decision or a UFC contract, Jeffery maintained that the entire DWCS journey served his MMA career well.

Having already witnessed that experience firsthand, Jeffery said it only amplified his drive to make his way back.

"It's incredible—the finest treatment you'll receive as a fighter. It's a massive platform, everything operates professionally, they take care of you, fly you out, handle all the media obligations, you're in Vegas, and Dana White's watching. What an experience for a kid from a small town who ended up in this sport," Jeffery said.

"Having that stripped away from me like that has only fueled my motivation to return."

In the wake of that DWCS bout last summer, Jeffery revealed his initial plan involved stepping away from competition to recover from what proved to be an exhausting and grueling training camp.

Yet with the outcome not going his way, Jeffery didn't want to dwell on the defeat, accepting a fight just a month later at Combat Zone 71—a bout he ultimately won.

Jeffery explained that bouncing back from the DWCS setback so quickly provided a significant confidence lift and restored his mental clarity.

"I couldn't have lived with myself sitting on that loss for too long, and that opportunity presented itself, so we seized it. It worked out beautifully," Jeffery said.

Throughout his career, Jeffery has consistently faced elite-level competition, with both of his defeats coming against Allen and Sean Brady—two fighters who remain undefeated in the UFC.

Jeffery anticipates another challenging matchup Thursday from his fellow DWCS graduate, Assis.

"He's a solid fighter, for sure, with a strong record. He's also a somewhat bigger name," Jeffery noted.

"He brings excellent jiu-jitsu skills with several submission victories. He's a black belt, so I expect intense grappling exchanges. He's quite explosive, though I think he tends to fade as the fight progresses, and I believe I can exploit that."

Assis Holds Jeffery in High Regard

Assis has also navigated tough matchups throughout his career, including facing current UFC middleweight title contender Paulo Costa.

Assis returned Jeffery's admiration and indicated he expects a formidable challenge from Jeffery.

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"I know he's an exceptional athlete and a highly versatile competitor with strong movement," Assis commented.

"I'm preparing for a challenging fight where two skilled athletes will give absolutely everything in pursuit of victory."

Like Jeffery, Assis' DWCS run didn't unfold as hoped, but he emphasized that wasn't entirely a negative experience.

He credited the high-profile stage and competition against another elite opponent with accelerating his growth as a fighter.

"It was an extraordinary experience, even though it didn't turn out how I'd wanted to prove that I was meant for this. I love fighting," Assis reflected.

"It showed me I needed to make adjustments to reach the upper echelon, and it made me stronger as both an athlete and a person."

As with virtually every sporting event worldwide at the moment, SFT 23 will take place with no spectators in attendance.

Assis acknowledged there are both advantages and disadvantages to the empty-arena setup, and expressed curiosity about how it will affect the competition.

"It's a completely new experience, and I'll probably miss the energy from the crowd. But there are benefits too—it's easier to hear your coaches," Assis observed.