Junior Assuncao is a BJJ brown belt and studied Capoeira since 1995, obtaining the rank of professor. He had his first taste of MMA competition in 2003 and is 4-1 as a pro in MMA with two additional wins as an amateur. He currently trains with his brother Rafael Assuncao as part of Unit 2 Fitness located in midtown Atlanta, Georgia.

“Junior” is a three-time veteran of the International Sport Combat Federation shows held in Georgia. He’s also a two-time winner in Full Throttle. This includes a win over recent UFC addition Dustin Hazelett (Pictures). Assuncao’s last four bouts have all ended in the first round.

Kurt Pellegrino (Pictures) is a wrestler with 20 years experience on the mat and a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Hermes Franca (Pictures). He trains with Franca and UFC vet Matt Wiman (Pictures) at The Armory in southern Florida.

Kurt has won numerous titles including the Ring of Combat belt at 165 pounds, Reality Fighting lightweight title and WEC North American championship.

He won the gold medal at the Pan Ams as a blue belt and the Absolute Division at Grapplers Quest as a brown belt. Kurt is also a five-time Grapplers Quest superfight champion, a Gracie Arnold Classic Pro division champion in the 195-165 pound weight class and qualified for the Abu Dhabi Submission Fighting Championships for 2007. He has a professional MMA record of 8-2 with a 7-0 record as an amateur.

Kurt performed well in his Octagon debut against Drew Fickett (Pictures), defeating a far more experienced opponent. This time the experience edge is in Pellegrino’s corner. Assuncao certainly knows the ground game and he should bring a balanced attack with potentially unorthodox stand-up from years of Capoeira. The question is can he get back up once Pellegrino takes it to the mat? I have my doubts. Pellegrino by submission.