Paulão and Rony at weigh-ins / Photo: Junior Samurai
Some big names from world and Brazilian domestic MMA are all set to put it all on the line in the Brazilian state of Pernambuco at the Bruno Novaes-produced IFC promotion.
Weigh-ins went down this Thursday without a hitch, with all the fighters making their respective weights. The event itself takes place this Friday, and riveting matchups held in first-rate facilities are on tap.
Paulão Filho did his gym work and smoothly made weight for his encounter with Shooto Brazil champion Rony Marques.
“I expect the same thing as always: win, win, with Carlson Gracie in my veins,” said Paulão. But Rony Marques isn’t trailing in the confidence department. “I’ve done my training, I expect to have a great fight, and God willing everything will go great.”
Another potential barnburner is the matchup between a black belt from Jiu-Jitsu’s first family, Gregor Gracie, and Argentine Mariano Hinojal. Gregor will be making his first appearance in his native Brazil.
Former UFC title challenger Hermes França will face off with local Thawã Rill and is looking to keep up his solid run: “I trained hard, am coming off four wins in a row, going strong,” the black belt said in assurance. Meanwhile, the Nine-Nine PE brown belt is ready for war. “I want to have the fight of the night. I’m confident. Let’s go to war. So far I’ve never been taken down, let’s see if he can manage to,” said Thawã.
And there are further matchups featuring some big names promising to shake up the city of Recife: two-time UFC fighter Ronys Torres takes on Helderson Filho; Ceara native Renée Forte faces Mario Soldado; and local star Marcos Vinícius will try his luck against tough Nova União product Rodolfo Marques. “I’m going in there to bang and get the knockout; I want that thousand reais,” said Pernambuco native Vinícius, referring to the prize for knockout of the night – some added incentive announced at the last minute by the IFC’s organizers.
(By Junior Samurai)
Check out the card:
IFC
Convention Center, Recife, Pernambuco
April 29, 2011
84Kg Gilvan Batista (Marcos Valle PE) vs. Ìcaro Silva (Fx Nova União PE)
66Kg Marcos Vinicius (Nine Nine PE) vs. Rodolfo Marques Diniz (Nova União RJ)
93Kg Erick Wanderley (Gracie Fusion BH) vs. Carlos Cachorrão (SAS/Dragon Fight/NU CE)
77Kg Mario Soldado (CM System PR) vs. Renée Forte (SAS/Dragon Fight/NU CE)
93Kg Cassio Jacaré (Jacaré Team PE) vs. Kleber Orgulho (Champion/Minotauro Team BA)
70Kg Helderson Filhão (CM System PR) vs. Ronys Torres (Nova União RJ)
70Kg Carlos Prate (Thugjitsu EUA) vs. Henrique Mello (Nova União RJ)
77Kg Mariano Hinojal (Cordoba – ARG) vs. Gregor Gracie (Renzo Gracie BJJ EUA)
73Kg Thawã Ril (Nine Nine PE) vs. Hermes Franca (Hermes Franca BJJ EUA)
90Kg Paulão Filho (BTT RJ) vs. Ronny Markes (Kimura NU RN)