When Jafel Filho steps into the UFC cage, he doesn’t feel like he’s alone.

Sure, he’s got his team there in his corner and more supporters in the audience and watching at home. But since a young age, Filho (17-4 MMA, 3-2 UFC) has felt empowered by a greater being.

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“I was born with a foot defect, and Jesus healed me, allowing me to eventually become a professional athlete,” Filho recently told MMA Junkie through a Portuguese-language interpreter.

Not many fighters double as a pastor, but Filho does, at the Assembly of God. It’s not just a nickname. Between choking people out and punching people in the face, Filho spreads the word of his religion.

Some might see the two lifestyles as contrasting, but Filho said the two can go hand-in-hand.

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“It’s certainly an interesting contrast in the two professions, but I’ve come to understand that MMA is a profession like any other because we’re prepared to be up there in the cage and we approach the sport with professionalism, integrity and sportsmanship,” Filho said. “Jesus had many men of war by his side. … It’s not difficult, because I can balance my life with Jesus and the UFC. Jesus gives me the opportunity and strength to excel in martial arts. I will still be a champion in the division, preaching the gospel.”

Filho brings a bible into the cage after every fight, like he did at UFC Fight Night 261 when he submitted Clayton Carpenter with an armbar in Round 1. The victory was his third in four outings.

“I’m very happy with my last performance,” Filho said. “I believe I showed that I have the best jiu-jitsu in the division. … That was my plan and I worked very hard for it. I’m a fighter who likes to show energy in the first round.”

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As for what’s next, there are intangibles and intangibles in what Filho expects. He plans to continue to use his platform for religious purposes, and thinks the spotlight would be even bigger if the UFC gave him a certain ex-title challenger.

“I would be very happy if my next fight was against Tim Elliott,” Filho said. “… It’s very important because I’m a Pastor of the Church of Jesus Christ, and I want to use my platform to show the world my faith, and the power of His message. … I will be UFC Champion, and that platform will give me the ability to reach millions of people with the message of God that I carry with me.”

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Meet the UFC fighter who is also a pastor