Samuray staring down Mondragon in Manaus / Publicity photos
Thursday was weight-in day in Manaus. All 24 athletes on the card for MMA event Mr. Cage 6 made their respective weights. Promoter Samir Nadaf and his staff oversaw the proceedings leading up to tonight’s event, where Gerônimo Mondragon will take on ex-UFC fighter Antonio Samuray for the promotional belt.
A familiar figure in the state of Amazonas, Mondragon will have his work cut out for him in defending his heavyweight belt. In another matchup causing a lot of chatter, Jiu-Jitsu black belt Adriano Martins (pictured below) returns to the cage after conquering the WFE lightweight belt in Salvador, Bahia, with Márcio Jacarezinho opposite him. Now Anistávio Gasparzinho will be looking to maintain his unbeaten record in the promotion, having tapped out Rivaldo Junior at the last event. This time he will be facing Orleans Smith.
Hometown boy Robert Pato, who will try to usurp the middleweight throne of Paulo Victor, will be looking to fully capitalize on the opportunity bestowed on him. Diego Davillo, holder of the interim under-61kg belt, takes on Dileno Lopes.
After a long wait, Allan Ferreira has a shot at going home the best lightweight in the Mr. Cage promotion, having made it to the final of divisional GP but losing a split decision to Erick Carlos. Because of his solid record, Sassarito was picked as his opponent in their title showdown.
Mr. Cage 6
Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
September 30, 2011
Sergio Souza vs Anderson
Paulinho vs Marcelinho
Jean Cro Cop vs Erick Macaco
Naldo Silva vs Dalton
Francisco Veras vs Tiago Belo
Francisco Diassis vs Jadson Tita
Paulo Victor vs Robert Pato (middleweight title fight)
Alan Ferreira vs Mikael Sassarito (lightweight title fight)
Diego Davila vs Dileno Lopes (bantamweight title fight)
Gasparzinho vs Orleans Smith
Adriano Martins vs Márcio Jacarezinho
Gêronimo Mondragon vs Antônio Samuray (heavyweight title fight)