Inspired by UFC champ Glover Teixeira, Regivaldo Carvalho prepared to dominate Blake Bilder at CFFC 107

Training alongside current UFC light heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira for the past eight years, Regivaldo Carvalho said it's impossible to give anything less than 100 percent at each and every practice.

"You have a lot of inspiration to work hard every day because he's 43 years old," Carvalho. "When you see the way he trains, you have no excuses. You just work, work, work, every day.

"We also have Wellington Turman. Alex Pereira. We have a lot of guys that have a good story. This team is a nice creation."

A Brazilian native, Carvalho has reaped the benefits of working at Connecticut's Teixeira MMA. The featherweight contender currently stands at 3-1 in his past four appearances, with the lone loss coming to fellow prospect Mo Miller, who went on to win at Dana White's Contender Series, as well.

Carvalho was expected to make his Cage Fury Fighting Championships debut this past December, but his planned opponent was forced to withdraw after suffering a death in his family in the days before the contest. Carvalho said he completely supported his opponent's decision given the circumstances.

"I understood because I put it in my head, if it was me in the same situation, I wouldn't know what's going on, and I was just feeling bad for him," Carvalho said.

Carvalho's patience and understanding was rewarded. He'll now debut for the promotion in the headlining bout of Friday's CFFC 107 event, which streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS from Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City. Even better, Carvalho (6-3) is facing current featherweight champ Blake Bilder (5-0-1) with the title on the line.

While Carvalho lost his opportunity to compete in December, he did get a chance to see Bilder claim the title. After watching the performance, Carvalho said he's prepared to end the champ's reign on Saturday.

"I watched his fight, and I respect him, but he's a normal fighter," Carvalho said. "I respect any fighter that gets in there, but I think he's just a normal fighter."

Carvalho thinks he brings something a little extra to the cage, especially after his years of training alongside Teixeira. On Friday night, he plans to show what he's learned, and he's hoping maybe it will earn him an invitation to Dana White's Contender Series later this summer.

"I've been thinking a lot about this fight because I really try to live in the present," Carvalho said. "I worked hard for this fight. I'd like to earn an opportunity for the Contender Series, too. This is an amazing, amazing opportunity – but my focus now is to win the fight.

"I want to thank all my team at Teixeira MMA and Cage Fury. We're doing it. Let's do this. Let's get the job done. I think I can dominate him."