Issue 021
January 2007
Jungle Fight to invade Europe in December!
Jungle Fight Championship (JFC) will produce the first of its events to take place outside of Brazil in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. This world-class event will be held at the Dvorana Tivoli Arena, a 6000-seat arena in the heart of the city.
“This is the first event we are holding outside of Brazil, and we have been working hard to offer the best venue to our fighters and to the public,” said Wallid Ismail, promoter of JFC. “Our standards are high and we are very excited to finally bring our show to Slovenia and to the world”. The event will be simultaneously broadcast to Brazil, Japan, Canada and Europe on pay-per-view and available on the internet.
"We promise to deliver some very exciting fights, along with our usual high quality production values which are synonymous with Jungle Fight", concluded Wallid.
In the main event of the evening the Brazilian Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza will fight for the middleweight championship belt. “Jacare is going to fight for the under 182 lbs belt with a foreign fighter that we still have to confirm”, said Ismail.
Werdum and Einemo victorious!
The anticipated clash between Fabricio Werdum and Aleks Emelianenko went off in Holland on the 12th November, with the BJJ black belt and champion grappler submitting the Russian with an arm triangle choke.
Werdum’s training partner in the run up to this fight, the Scandinavian fighter Jon Olav Einemo, also submitted his opponent, in this case Englishman James Thompson. The Norwegian won via armbar.
Lax and Ninimäki fight in USA
Finnish fighters Jani Lax and Tom Ninimäki both fought on Ironheart 11 in Chicago on the 18th of November. The Scandinavians competed under A-class Shooto rules.
Lax defeated his opponent, John Mahlow (7-4-0 and from Team Mash) by decision while Tom lost to Tristan Yunker (8-6-0 from Damage INC) by first round submission (rear naked choke).
David Bielkheden back to PRIDE
It has been officially announced that David Bielkheden has been given a PRIDE contract worth two fights following his impressive display against Ishida last month. It is thought he will fight in the PRIDE lightweight GP in 2007, to be held in either Japan or the USA. The contract with PRIDE parent company DSE still allows him to fight for European promotions.
Estonia to host 8-man PRIDE rules tourney
Sources in the small Eastern European country of Estonia are saying that an 8-man absolute weight category tournament will take place on 20th of January, under full PRIDE rules! Rumours are that a US promoter will be financing it, but details are thin on the ground. More updates as we get them.
Pezao goes to ATT
The 145kg monster that is Antonio ‘Pezao’ Silva has joined the American Top Team in Florida. The Brazilian giant, who holds a record of eight wins in eight professional MMA fights, has finally succeeded in attaining his US visa.
The CageWarriors super heavyweight champion and K-1 veteran has had trouble finding a suitable academy for some time. He left English fight team The Wolfslair under acrimony and his relationship with Brazilian Top Team lasted only one fight.
In a message on their website The ATT said they were pleased to welcome Silva into the fold. “He will be training full time with us at our main academy in Coconut Creek, Florida. ‘Pezao’ is a great guy who comes to us with a ton of potential. We hope to take his career to the next level.”
Silva’s next fight will be on 2nd December against Eric Pele on Bodog fight. He has a contract to fight for ATT for the following two years. His manager Alex David told graciemag.com that Pezao will finally have access to the kind of training he needs and open doors to all of the world's major events.
Couture and Jacare Draw at X-Mission
Former UFC heavy and light heavyweight champion Randy ‘The Natural’ Couture appeared at the Professional Submission League’s “X-Mission”, going to a draw in a grappling match with BJJ superstar and MMA fighter Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ de Souza.
Jacare had a tight toehold on Couture and attacked for a kneebar twice but the American managed to escape. The Mundials, World Cup, and Abu Dhabi veteran attacked throughout the fight but no points were scored and the fight was ruled a draw after ten minutes.
Couture, an Olympic Greco-Roman wrestling alternate who retired from MMA competition last February, likened the experience to a wrestling meet, although credited Souza for his relentless attacks. “I was basically surviving out there,” said Couture, who added he would like to train specifically for this kind of competition and compete in future events.
Black House – Brazil’s new super team!
A new super team known as “Black House” has been formed by former BTT member Carlos Barreto. Black House is comprised of Vitor Belfort, Assuerio Silva, Ryoto "Lyoto" Machida and UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva.
With some of Brazil’s top talent on it’s roster, they will be sure to look to become competitors with established gyms such as the Brazilian Top Team, Chute Boxe, Gracie Barra and Nova União.
Pequeno feels fine after knee op
Shooto king Alexandre Pequeno Nogueira underwent a knee operation on the 23rd October. The Luta-Livre black belt started physiotherapy only days later and is confident of a quick recovery.
“The doctor who did the operation was really kind with me. He already took care of Mario Sperry and Rodrigo Minotauro. After one week Mario was already kicking and Minotauro was already fighting after one month,” said Pequeno, who believes that will fight again in K-1 HERO's in 2007.
Silva plans to retire in the USA
In an interview with Brazilian website Tatame PRIDE middleweight champion Wanderlei Silva has hinted at what he is thinking he will do after he retires. “I have some plans in the next four or five months to open a Training Centre in Los Angeles and then stay there. I don't want my own academy, but a big Training Centre where I will be able to pass through my experiences to my pupils", said Silva.
New Shooto Brazil president
Andre Pederneiras, head of the world famous Nova União team, has been elected by the International Shooto Commission to be President of Shooto Brazil.
Pederneiras, who has a distinguished career in MMA that includes fights with Rumina Sato, Pat Miletich, Caol Uno and Genki Sudo, wants to put Brazil back at the centre of the MMA map and has disclosed plans to do a Japanese-size event in Brazil.
Pederneiras will head up future Shooto events that are planned for Brazil for 2007 and beyond.
