Gragor and television belle Nicole Bahls / Photo: Junior Samurai
Boasting first-rate matchups, knockouts and submissions, the IFC brought just what the crowd wanted to the Recife, Brazil, Convention Center this Friday, April 29. There was no shortage of standouts, and Gregor Gracie’s debut on Brazilian soil couldn’t have gone better.
Fighting for the first time in his native Brazil, Gregor brought over four thousand people to delirium, as he made his way to the cage sporting a Brazil T-shirt and to the tune of Chico Science’s rendition of “Maracatu Atômico” – the singer a native son of the state who died in the nineties. The traditional rivalry with neighboring Argentina carried over to MMA, and the black belt from the Jiu-Jitsu family with the most tradition showed he’s got was the Brazilian national team is missing. Quick on the trigger against Mariano Hinojal, it took Gregor just 29 seconds to snag the Argentine’s neck in a guillotine choke. “It’s a pleasure to fight at home; I only ever fight in the United States, so getting to fight here in my home crowd makes me really happy,” said Gregor in victory.
Rony attacks Paulão Filho. Photo: Junior Samurai.
The evening’s main event pit Carlson Gracie black belt Paulão Filho against hot up-and-coming prospect Rony Marques. In a sensational affair, Rony found his feet in the opening round and put Paulão’s back to the ground, where he worked the ground and pound until the bell. As the old adage goes, “What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger,” Paulão was clawing at the ground like a chained pitbull, advancing and retreating, ready to attack, until as the second stanza was about to begin. Referee Mario Yamasaki had hardly authorized a start to the action when Paulão launched a vicious attack, landing strikes and low kicks that knocked Rony to the ground. Filho mounted, rained down punches and tried an arm triangle, but the Kimura-Nova União ace was saved by the bell. In the final round, Ronys got the takedown and made it to half-guard, where he pounded on his opponent until time ran out, ending the fight. The scorecards awarded the unanimous decision to Rony Marques, who broke out in tears and knelt in reverence to Paulão Filho, his idol in MMA. “I’ve been a fan of Paulão for years. To give you an idea, I didn’t even watch his fights in preparing for this fight, I’m such a fan of his that I had everything he does in my head,” said the faithful sidekick of team Kimura founder and leader Jair Lourenço.
A one-time challenger to the UFC lightweight belt, Hermes França had his work cut out for him against Thawã Rill. The ex-WEC champion was nearly caught of guard during the first round by Thawã, who was gaining confidence in the striking department. Hermes was lagging against his hometown opponent, who landed a punch that dropped a dazed Hermes to the canvas, following up with further strikes to seal the deal and earn himself the knockout of the night prize. “Thank God everything went to plan, I told my teacher Jaime, ‘This hand is dangerous.’ I’m always going to put on a show; I’m not afraid of losing, I fight to put on a show,” said the new hometown hero.
Ronys Torres wins again. Photo: Junior Samurai.
Two-time UFC fighter Ronys Torres put on a gentle art clinic. He cornered Helderson Filhão against the fencing, swiftly got the takedown, and set about putting his arsenal of submission to work. Once in mounted position he sunk a kimura, then a guillotine, then finishing the deaf and mute CM System fighter with an armbar. “Thank God everything went well. I’ve been training hard, I fought at Shooto, won here, and now I’m heading to a fight in Manaus on Thursday. I’m keeping a frenetic pace. I just want to fight; I’m an MMA working man,” said Torres after the fight.
The standouts from the other fights on the card were Carlo Prater, who showed slick Jiu-Jitsu skills in finishing a game Henrique Mello with a rear naked choke, and Eduardo Cachorrão, who showed grit and a heavy hand, landing a thudding right to Erick Wanderlei and following up with strikes until the referee stepped in.
(By Junior Samurai)
Check out the complete results:
IFC
Convention Center, Recife, Brazil
April 29, 2011
84Kg Ìcaro Silva (Fx Nova União PE) defeated Gilvan Batista (Marcos Valle PE) via technical knockout in R2
66Kg Rodolfo Marques Diniz (Nova União RJ) defeatedMarcos Vinicius (Nine Nine PE) via split decision
93Kg Carlos Cachorrão (SAS/Dragon Fight/NU CE) defeated Erick Wanderley (Gracie Fusion BH) via TKO in R3
77Kg Mario Soldado (CM System PR) defeated Renée Forte (SAS/Dragon Fight/NU CE) via TKO in R2
93Kg Kleber Orgulho (Champion/Minotauro Team BA) defeated Cassio Jacaré (Jacaré Team PE) via unanimous decision
70Kg Ronys Torres (Nova União RJ) submitted Helderson Filhão (CM System PR) in R1
70Kg Carlos Prate (Thugjitsu EUA) submitted Henrique Mello (Nova União RJ) via rear naked choke in R1
77Kg x Gregor Gracie (Renzo Gracie BJJ EUA) defeated Mariano Hinojal (Cordoba – ARG) vua guillotine in R1
73Kg Thawã Ril (Nine Nine PE) defeated Hermes Franca (Hermes Franca BJJ EUA) via TKO in R2
90Kg Ronny Markes (Kimura NU RN) defeated Paulão Filho (BTT-RJ) via unanimous decision