Peak Fighting Championship’s No. 2-ranked pound-for-pound fighter, Davi “The Young Lion” Cabral, will make his debut on “Dana White’s Contender Series” (DWCS) Tuesday, Oct. 13. 

Cabral brings an intensely focused fighting style and an impressive record to the Meta Apex, backed by years of development at Peak FC. Professionally undefeated at 7-0, Cabral will bring his well-rounded skill set and finishing instincts into his matchup with Douglas da Lapa.

“The energy in the cage is always the same,” Cabral said. “When the lights go on, The Lion takes over.”

Davi Cabral at PFC 53

Cabral hopes to follow in fellow Peak FC fighter Alex Apodaca’s footsteps by earning a UFC contract, as he shows pride in having developed himself on the Peak FC stage.

“Alex Apodaca was the biggest underdog in [DWCS] history, and she pulled out the victory,” Cabral said. “I’m also an underdog going into this fight, but everyone who’s seen me perform in the Peak cage knows what I’m capable of and knows my spirit.”

How Peak FC Made All the Difference

Cabral’s start didn’t come easy. When he made his MMA debut, The Lion had a significant challenge ahead of him: a 4-0 fighter with high rankings and champion status. 

“I went in there, and I took some shots, but with forward pressure, I KO’d him in the first round,” Cabral said. “I have a jiu-jitsu background, but when I shot my first takedown, I couldn’t get it, so I told myself, ‘I’m going to have to test myself.’”

Cabral said he learned a great deal about himself during his debut bout as the fight established his confidence level in MMA. The fight revealed another dimension of his game, as his grappling background was complemented by his ability to finish opponents on the feet.

“That day, I really found the piece that was missing,” he said.

Since his amateur debut, Cabral’s fights for Peak FC have helped him develop as a fighter, producing finishes while also testing his ability to overcome adversity. Cabral views those challenges as part of his development, including his most recent fight, which went the distance amid a professional record studded with submissions and TKO finishes.

Davi Cabral at PFC 46

“I was born with an eye condition, and post-fight, I had to do two eye surgeries,” he said. “My vision was blurry … In the middle of the fight that happened, but I had to keep going.”

Cabral said he is proud of himself for persevering through the adversity and credits much of his grit to his experience with sacrifice.

“Moving to a different country, a different gym, different language, without knowing if I’m going to have a job, that’s the biggest sacrifice,” he said. “I’m raising my son without family support … I was the last in my family to meet my niece … but I would do it all over again.”

The native Brazilian’s sacrifices were game-changing in his pursuit of being one of the best fighters in the world, and he is grateful to have found his calling right here in Texas. Cabral cherishes the growth he’s undergone as a fighter and as a person, and he owes it all to Peak FC.

“The word that I can use to describe my experience with Peak is gratitude,” he said.

Cabral is grateful to the people at Peak FC, his past opponents and the fans who have supported his MMA journey.

“Peak has been a big part of my journey,” he said. “On Tuesday night, I’m going to be representing every one of you.”

Davi Cabral at the PFC 53 Q&A

The Young Lion Mindset

For Davi Cabral, fighting begins with something bigger than himself. Faith comes first, followed by the family he has built while pursuing a career in MMA. His wife is expecting their second child, a daughter, and Cabral sees fatherhood as a responsibility to lead by example, both inside and outside the cage.

“We think we're fighting for ourselves, but now I'm fighting for someone else,” Cabral said. “My kids depend on me, you know?”

That responsibility has shaped how he measures success. When asked what he considers his greatest achievement, his answer had little to do with his undefeated record or the recognition that could come with a UFC contract.

“God above everything, but my family is my biggest accolade,” Cabral said. “My family is my biggest achievement. That's what I'm the most proud of.”

That sense of purpose carries into his preparation. Cabral puts his life in God's hands, but he doesn't confuse faith with leaving everything to chance. His confidence comes from discipline, daily habits, and focus on what he can control. He studies his opponents, but he mostly studies himself, reviewing his own fights and sparring to identify where he can improve. That preparation also means knowing when to abandon a rigid plan.

“If I tell you I have a set game plan, I'd be lying,” he said. “Depending on how the fight presents, things change. We can't be in tunnel vision. That's usually where people make the most mistakes.”

Adaptability is especially important against an da Lapa, who has a different physical profile and striking style than Cabral. Cabral recognizes that a fight can change in an instant, and he wants to be prepared to respond rather than become trapped trying to force a particular outcome Tuesday night. 

His approach is to trust the work he has put in, read what unfolds in front of him and take advantage of the opportunities that emerge, although his ideal scenario does not include going the full 15 minutes. 

Davi Cabral at PFC 50

The Hunt for the Contract

Tuesday gives Cabral a chance to turn years of sacrifice, discipline and hard work into the biggest opportunity of his career.

His well-rounded game gives him multiple ways to create openings, from kicks and boxing to takedowns. He looks to capitalize on those opportunities while maintaining his intensity as the fight unfolds.

“I’m looking for a finish,” he said. “That’s 100% what you guys are gonna see. I’m going out there to hunt.”

The goal on Tuesday is clear: prove he belongs at the next level and put himself in position to earn a UFC contract. The opponent may present new challenges, and the game plan may need to evolve, but Cabral’s priorities remain the same. Faith anchors him, family gives the pursuit its meaning, and once the lights come on, The Lion goes hunting.

“I’m ready for a bigger stage and bigger opportunity to fight for the dream,” Cabral said.

Learn more about Peak FC and our fighters, and catch Davi Cabral on “Dana White’s Contender Series” live this Tuesday on Paramount+.