Former Ultimate Fighter runner-up Vinny Magalhaes seemed poised to make a strong run in the UFC.

However, it was only after his release from the promotion did Magalhaes really amp up the energy.

Now, Magalhaes re-enters the UFC on a five-fight win streak and prepared to finish Igor Pokrajac when the two collide later this month at UFC 152.

“I see a submission: first, second, maybe third round,” said Magalhaes, in an interview with MMASucka recently. “He is pretty good standing, but one thing I tell people, ‘No matter how much better the other guy is at striking, he can leave openings to get taken down striking.’”

Magalhaes has finished each of his past five opponents, improving his overall record to 9-5. After signing with the UFC, he released himself from coaching duties at Xtreme Couture. Magalhaes had been the head Brazilian jiu-jitsu coach at the gym.

I don’t want to spend nine hours at the gym training and teaching, so I’m just going to focus on what I want to do most; which is fighting.