Brazilian Notebook: Fighters Train for Mega Bouts
Gleidson Venga Jul 31, 2006
A lot has changed in the Brazilian mixed martial arts scene over
the past year.
The last PRIDE edition was broadcast live for the entire country to see, enlarging what was previously a pay-per-view only option. Companies have realized how much they could make with MMA events, thanks to the great amount of high quality fighters this country produces. This has resulted in events popping up all over Brazil, with an increasing number of new stars taking to the ring.
By the way, talking about stars, Mauricio Rua (Pictures) is back, and guess who he wants
to face?
Shogun Trains Again
Vitor Belfort (Pictures) Back to Boxing
After his demolishing victory over Yoshiki Takahashi (Pictures) during the last PRIDE, Vitor Belfort (Pictures) has a new commitment.
Belfort is confirmed to fight in a boxing bout on the Minotauro Fight 4 card. This will be his second professional boxing fight. His debut came on the previous Minotauro Fight card, when he knocked out his opponent in a little more than a minute. Minotauro Fight will take place on August 4 and his opponent has not been announced.
The card features a middleweight tournament featuring Edilberto Crocotá, Julinho Cabral, Eder Jones, Ítalo Arona, Paulo Santos, Rodrigo Souza and Vandinho do Senhor do Bonfim.
In single MMA fights Jurandir Sardinha fights Kleber Samuray, Genilton Vandame takes on Renato Velame and Luiz Buda matches games with Cigano.
Tarciso Nery will fight a to-be-determined opponent in a K-1 rules bout.
Four Boxing contests will see Erivan Conceição, Joílson Gomes, Alessandro de Matos and Belfort faced unnamed opponents.
Also Kélson Pinto looks to defend his 154-pound Brazilian title.
Daniel Gracie (Pictures) speaks about IFL
After beating Wes Sims (Pictures) in the IFL, Daniel Gracie (Pictures) has commented on what he thinks about the event’s concept, a team against team format. Used to competing in Brazilian jiu-jitsu events, Gracie believes the IFL will be successful.
“I think this event has everything it needed to be successful,” he analyzed. “Every team’s match is thrilling. There is a competition like that in the Brazilian BJJ series, as an example, and it’s cool. The IFL is growing and I’m sure they will be the main event in USA. They have a very solid structure, especially now that the team will represent their own home state. Renzo Gracie (Pictures)’s team is known as New York Pitbulls!”
Daniel’s next fight is not scheduled yet but it’s being negotiated. “I heard that Alan Goes wants to fight me, saying that he submitted me when I was 15 years old,” said Daniel. “I hope to face him.”
“Top Fighters” Promises Great Fights
On August 2, Gustavo Machado (Pictures) will promote is first MMA card — Top Fighter MMA — in Rio de Janeiro.
“Ximu” Machado hopes benefit from the fact that “Top Fighters” is taking place as the World’s BJJ Championships culminate at the end of July in the same city.
“We are working on it,” he said. “I know in this season there are a few people willing to fight MMA because of the World BJJ series.”
Here is the card:
In Muay Thai bouts, Alexandre King and Gleidson Mamute tangle in a 100-kilo bout. Gibson fights Francisco Assis at 60 kilos. A 70-kilo contest pits Claudieri against Paulo Magrao, Carlos Eduardo fights at to-be-determined opponent at 60 kg.
MMA action includes Danilo Moto-Serra against Cosme dos Santos; Flavio Moura versus Leandro Silva; Fabricio Monteiro (Pictures) fights Paulo Boiko; Eduardo Pachu battles Leandro Mun-Ra; Luis Ramos challenges Mauricio Reis; Leonardo Carvalho steps in against Marcos Maciel; Erinaldo faces Cristiano Bananada; Ricardo Petruccio and Wendell Negão square off; and Alex Gazé battles Ricardo Sam.
Barreto Analyzes PRIDE Open-Weight GP
One of the most experienced fighters in mixed martial arts, Carlos Barreto has been recovering after a serious knee injury suffered during his last fight against Vladimir Matyushenko (Pictures) in Jungle Fight 4.
Watching the PRIDE Open-Weight Grand Prix carefully, it’s little surprise that Barreto bet on his teammate Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Pictures).
“Minotauro is the best,” Barreto said. “I have no doubts about it.”
About PRIDE middleweight champion Wanderlei Silva (Pictures), Barreto said he “is a great fighter. He proved that before in the last year. Rudimar (Fedrigo) and Rafael Cordeiro (Pictures) are good trainers. They won’t put Wanderlei in this Grand Prix if they didn’t trust him. I think he is a tough opponent to anyone, maybe Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ would be easier for him. Josh Barnett (Pictures) and Minotauro are, on my eyes, the better ones. In my opinion, Minotauro and Barnett would make an amazing final fight, but you know, fighting is unpredictable.”
Lightweight Tournament Raises Expectation in Brazil
Scheduled for October 7, the first Super Challenge edition will deliver an eight-man tournament with $16,000 going to the winner. This event intends to bring some of the best lightweight fighters in Brazil, having already two names scheduled: Milton Vieira (Pictures) the rising star Luciano Azevedo (Pictures).
There are rumors that Chute Boxe would provide the young André Dida and Gracie Barra Combat Team’s Black belt Vinicius Draculino could participate. Nova União, known for having the most famous lightweights in Brazil these days, may provide a fighter as well.
The super-fight will bring former friends Jorge Patino (Pictures) and Roberto Godoi into the ring.
BJJ Star Returns to MMA
With just one MMA fight to his credit, a loss to Takanori Gomi (Pictures) via decision in Shooto, one of the best BJJ competitors of all time has set a date to get back to the ring.
Leonardo Santos will face veteran Johil de Oliveira (Pictures) in the main event of the Guarafight 3, on August 12. Also on the card Carina Damm rematches Vanessa Porto.
Full card:
Johil de Oliveira (Pictures) vs. Leonardo Santos
Rodrigo Damm vs. Thiago Tavares
Carina Damm vs. Vanessa Porto
Haroldo Cabelinho vs. Fabio Issa
Tournament
Henrique Lango
Luiz Limao
Leopoldo Serao
Gilmar de Andrade
BTT, Chute Boxe and Minotauro Team in Predador 2
Predador FC 2 will take place August 11 in Sao Paulo and the card is complete. In the main event, two world champion BJJ artists Eduardo Telles and Marcio Corleta make their MMA debuts. BTT, Chute Boxe and Minotauro Team will all be represented, and Vitor Shaolin, Paulo Filho (Pictures) and Carlos Barreto will act as referees.
MMA Card:
Eduardo Telles vs. Rubens Macula
Silvão Santos vs. Marcio Corleta
Mauro Xuxa vs. Flávio Álvaro
Fabio Negão vs. Gabriel Gladiador
Rafael Mantega vs. Mauricio Véio
Ricardo Máximo vs. Ricardo Rato
César Monstro vs. Silmar Rodrigo
Daniel Sarafian vs. Jorge Michelan
News and notes
With Renato Sobral (Pictures) getting ready for Chuck Liddell (Pictures), some of Babalu’s teammates are focused on helping the light heavyweight conquer the UFC champion, said to Gustavo Machado (Pictures). “The training sessions have been amazing,” he said. “For now, we are focused on Babalu, who is improving himself in every single aspect. Everybody trusts him and I’m sure he will surprise Liddell.” …
After teaching Muay Thai to members of the Yoshida Dojo, Sergio Cunha is back in Brazil. Cunha is considered one of the most technical Muay Thai trainers and he is in Curitiba to get everything ready to open his own gym, Advanced Mixed Martial Arts. He hopes to welcome his friends from Muay Thai Dream Team, Pelé Team and Shooto Brazil Dojo, and waits for Yoshida Dojo and A Square to visit him. …
Healed from various injuries, Ricardo Arona (Pictures) is planning his PRIDE return in September. His last fight was against Wanderlei Silva (Pictures), losing the PRIDE middleweight title shot by judges’ decision. …
Ramon Dekkers, one of the most important icons in Muay Thai, will hold seminars in Brazil on August 26 and 27. It’s excepted that all tickets would be sold-out soon, as the demand to train with “Diamond” Dekkers is high.
The last PRIDE edition was broadcast live for the entire country to see, enlarging what was previously a pay-per-view only option. Companies have realized how much they could make with MMA events, thanks to the great amount of high quality fighters this country produces. This has resulted in events popping up all over Brazil, with an increasing number of new stars taking to the ring.
Advertisement
Shogun Trains Again
PRIDE Middleweight Grand Prix champion Mauricio Rua (Pictures) is back working in the gym. After
suffering a serious injury last February in a bout against Mark Coleman (Pictures), Shogun was forced to have elbow
surgery. Rua hopes to be on PRIDE’s Open-Weight “Final Conflict”
card in September, and expects to fight on PRIDE’s first American
card this October, possibly against Coleman.
Vitor Belfort (Pictures) Back to Boxing
After his demolishing victory over Yoshiki Takahashi (Pictures) during the last PRIDE, Vitor Belfort (Pictures) has a new commitment.
Belfort is confirmed to fight in a boxing bout on the Minotauro Fight 4 card. This will be his second professional boxing fight. His debut came on the previous Minotauro Fight card, when he knocked out his opponent in a little more than a minute. Minotauro Fight will take place on August 4 and his opponent has not been announced.
The card features a middleweight tournament featuring Edilberto Crocotá, Julinho Cabral, Eder Jones, Ítalo Arona, Paulo Santos, Rodrigo Souza and Vandinho do Senhor do Bonfim.
In single MMA fights Jurandir Sardinha fights Kleber Samuray, Genilton Vandame takes on Renato Velame and Luiz Buda matches games with Cigano.
Tarciso Nery will fight a to-be-determined opponent in a K-1 rules bout.
Four Boxing contests will see Erivan Conceição, Joílson Gomes, Alessandro de Matos and Belfort faced unnamed opponents.
Also Kélson Pinto looks to defend his 154-pound Brazilian title.
Daniel Gracie (Pictures) speaks about IFL
After beating Wes Sims (Pictures) in the IFL, Daniel Gracie (Pictures) has commented on what he thinks about the event’s concept, a team against team format. Used to competing in Brazilian jiu-jitsu events, Gracie believes the IFL will be successful.
“I think this event has everything it needed to be successful,” he analyzed. “Every team’s match is thrilling. There is a competition like that in the Brazilian BJJ series, as an example, and it’s cool. The IFL is growing and I’m sure they will be the main event in USA. They have a very solid structure, especially now that the team will represent their own home state. Renzo Gracie (Pictures)’s team is known as New York Pitbulls!”
Daniel’s next fight is not scheduled yet but it’s being negotiated. “I heard that Alan Goes wants to fight me, saying that he submitted me when I was 15 years old,” said Daniel. “I hope to face him.”
“Top Fighters” Promises Great Fights
On August 2, Gustavo Machado (Pictures) will promote is first MMA card — Top Fighter MMA — in Rio de Janeiro.
“Ximu” Machado hopes benefit from the fact that “Top Fighters” is taking place as the World’s BJJ Championships culminate at the end of July in the same city.
“We are working on it,” he said. “I know in this season there are a few people willing to fight MMA because of the World BJJ series.”
Here is the card:
In Muay Thai bouts, Alexandre King and Gleidson Mamute tangle in a 100-kilo bout. Gibson fights Francisco Assis at 60 kilos. A 70-kilo contest pits Claudieri against Paulo Magrao, Carlos Eduardo fights at to-be-determined opponent at 60 kg.
MMA action includes Danilo Moto-Serra against Cosme dos Santos; Flavio Moura versus Leandro Silva; Fabricio Monteiro (Pictures) fights Paulo Boiko; Eduardo Pachu battles Leandro Mun-Ra; Luis Ramos challenges Mauricio Reis; Leonardo Carvalho steps in against Marcos Maciel; Erinaldo faces Cristiano Bananada; Ricardo Petruccio and Wendell Negão square off; and Alex Gazé battles Ricardo Sam.
Barreto Analyzes PRIDE Open-Weight GP
One of the most experienced fighters in mixed martial arts, Carlos Barreto has been recovering after a serious knee injury suffered during his last fight against Vladimir Matyushenko (Pictures) in Jungle Fight 4.
Watching the PRIDE Open-Weight Grand Prix carefully, it’s little surprise that Barreto bet on his teammate Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Pictures).
“Minotauro is the best,” Barreto said. “I have no doubts about it.”
About PRIDE middleweight champion Wanderlei Silva (Pictures), Barreto said he “is a great fighter. He proved that before in the last year. Rudimar (Fedrigo) and Rafael Cordeiro (Pictures) are good trainers. They won’t put Wanderlei in this Grand Prix if they didn’t trust him. I think he is a tough opponent to anyone, maybe Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ would be easier for him. Josh Barnett (Pictures) and Minotauro are, on my eyes, the better ones. In my opinion, Minotauro and Barnett would make an amazing final fight, but you know, fighting is unpredictable.”
Lightweight Tournament Raises Expectation in Brazil
Scheduled for October 7, the first Super Challenge edition will deliver an eight-man tournament with $16,000 going to the winner. This event intends to bring some of the best lightweight fighters in Brazil, having already two names scheduled: Milton Vieira (Pictures) the rising star Luciano Azevedo (Pictures).
There are rumors that Chute Boxe would provide the young André Dida and Gracie Barra Combat Team’s Black belt Vinicius Draculino could participate. Nova União, known for having the most famous lightweights in Brazil these days, may provide a fighter as well.
The super-fight will bring former friends Jorge Patino (Pictures) and Roberto Godoi into the ring.
BJJ Star Returns to MMA
With just one MMA fight to his credit, a loss to Takanori Gomi (Pictures) via decision in Shooto, one of the best BJJ competitors of all time has set a date to get back to the ring.
Leonardo Santos will face veteran Johil de Oliveira (Pictures) in the main event of the Guarafight 3, on August 12. Also on the card Carina Damm rematches Vanessa Porto.
Full card:
Johil de Oliveira (Pictures) vs. Leonardo Santos
Rodrigo Damm vs. Thiago Tavares
Carina Damm vs. Vanessa Porto
Haroldo Cabelinho vs. Fabio Issa
Tournament
Henrique Lango
Luiz Limao
Leopoldo Serao
Gilmar de Andrade
BTT, Chute Boxe and Minotauro Team in Predador 2
Predador FC 2 will take place August 11 in Sao Paulo and the card is complete. In the main event, two world champion BJJ artists Eduardo Telles and Marcio Corleta make their MMA debuts. BTT, Chute Boxe and Minotauro Team will all be represented, and Vitor Shaolin, Paulo Filho (Pictures) and Carlos Barreto will act as referees.
MMA Card:
Eduardo Telles vs. Rubens Macula
Silvão Santos vs. Marcio Corleta
Mauro Xuxa vs. Flávio Álvaro
Fabio Negão vs. Gabriel Gladiador
Rafael Mantega vs. Mauricio Véio
Ricardo Máximo vs. Ricardo Rato
César Monstro vs. Silmar Rodrigo
Daniel Sarafian vs. Jorge Michelan
News and notes
With Renato Sobral (Pictures) getting ready for Chuck Liddell (Pictures), some of Babalu’s teammates are focused on helping the light heavyweight conquer the UFC champion, said to Gustavo Machado (Pictures). “The training sessions have been amazing,” he said. “For now, we are focused on Babalu, who is improving himself in every single aspect. Everybody trusts him and I’m sure he will surprise Liddell.” …
After teaching Muay Thai to members of the Yoshida Dojo, Sergio Cunha is back in Brazil. Cunha is considered one of the most technical Muay Thai trainers and he is in Curitiba to get everything ready to open his own gym, Advanced Mixed Martial Arts. He hopes to welcome his friends from Muay Thai Dream Team, Pelé Team and Shooto Brazil Dojo, and waits for Yoshida Dojo and A Square to visit him. …
Healed from various injuries, Ricardo Arona (Pictures) is planning his PRIDE return in September. His last fight was against Wanderlei Silva (Pictures), losing the PRIDE middleweight title shot by judges’ decision. …
Ramon Dekkers, one of the most important icons in Muay Thai, will hold seminars in Brazil on August 26 and 27. It’s excepted that all tickets would be sold-out soon, as the demand to train with “Diamond” Dekkers is high.
