Glover Teixeira (left) takes on unbeaten Guto Inocente on April 1. | Jeff Sherwoodl/Sherdog.com
Two of Brazil's best light heavyweights are on a collision course, but not at 205 pounds.
A Brasilia native, the unbeaten Inocente was a standout kickboxer until converting to MMA, where he has established a 5-0 record. Inocente, 24, has finished all five of his foes in his MMA career. He last competed in September, knocking out Argentina's Gustavo Moia with a knee in just 40 seconds to claim the Shooto South American 220-pound title.
Teixeira, a native of Sobralia, Minas Gerais -- also in the central heart of Brazil -- went 4-0 in his 2010 campaign, last besting tough Spaniard Daniel Tabera by unanimous decision in December. However, the talented 31-year-old's career has been complicated by red tape, as visa issues have kept him from competing in North America for the last three years.
Teixeira signed with the Edmonton-based Maximum Fighting Championship and was set to debut for the promotion against UFC veteran David Heath last November until visa problems once again forced him from action.
The bout is the first slated for the April 1 Shooto Brazil 22 card.