With excellent bouts, knockouts and finishes, Shooto Brazil14 brought the crowd in the Bennett College Theater to its feet this Saturday, November 28, in Rio de Janeiro. There were many standouts and it also marked the return of Henrique Mello, who has not appeared in the ring since winning the last Fury GP. Beyond that, tribute was paid to world champions Jose Aldo (WEC), Marlon Sandro (Pancrase) and Willamy Chiquerim (Shooto World), who were applauded in the ring.
Not having fought since taking the Fury lightweight GP belt in astounding fashion and nearly sealing a deal with Dream, Henrique Mello returned to the ring against Wellington Berguinho. Known for his knockout power, Mello this time showed his polished Jiu-Jitsu and, after taking the fight to the ground, finished efficiently with a snug triangle.
Henrique Mello convincing in his return with this triangle. Photo: Carlos Ozorio
In the evening’s main event Eduardo Dantas had his work cut out for him in facing a game Carlos Roberto. In the initial round, Carlos took the current bantamweight champion of the event’s back. In the second, Dudu weathered some flush strikes to his chin but responded with one of his own, sending his opponent to the ground where he followed up with a concussive flurry of punches till the referee called a halt to the action.
Shooto also featured a female bout for the first time in the event’s history, and Claudia Gadelha managed her third MMA win, against Aline Neri. She used her wrestling prowess to keep the fight on the ground, where her Jiu-Jitsu secured her the unanimous decision. Cousin of Pancrase champion Marlon Sandro, Hacran Dias notched his 12th career win. In only 3:30 min, he got the takedown, took the back and finished off Sidney Abidi with a rear-naked choke. Luiz Alves’s promising disciple in MMA Felipe Olivieri managed to score yet another highlight-reel knockout. With spot-on muay thai, opponent Alan Chatuba could not withstand the onslaught and crumpled to the ground.
Paulo Guerreiro lived up to his last name (Warrior in Portuguese). After breaking his hand in the first round, he didn’t give up and dominated Mauricio Faccao for the decision win. Dinarti and Junior Beba had an evenly-matched and blood bout. At the end of the three-rounds the judges handed the win to Dinarti, who eked out the win with more takedowns and strikes from top position. Albino Mendes put up a gret fight against Zeilton “Nenzao”. However, persistent in applying a guillotine choke, Nenzao managed to submit his opponent in the second round. With good takedowns, a stifling ground game and a quick mount, Rene Forte beat up Julio Cesar Merenda for the split-decision win.
November 28, 2009
Bennett College, Rio de Janeiro
– Dudu Dantas (Nova Uniao) defeated Carlos Roberto (JT Caverna) by TKO in R2
– Claudia Gadelha (Nova Uniao) defeated Aline Neri (Beto Padilha) by unanimous decision
– Henrique Mello (Nova Uniao) submitted Wellington Berginho (Beto Padilha/Pejor) with a triangle in R1
– Hacran Dias (Nova Uniao) submitted Sidney Abedi with a rear-naked choke in R1
– Felipe Olivieri (Boxe Thai/Nova Uniao) defeated Alan Chatuba (Relma) by TKo in R1
– Paulo Guerreiro (Fighter Sport) defeated Maurício Faccao (Gracie Barra BH) by unanimous decision
– Dinarte (Kimura/Nova Uniao) defeated Julio Beba (Malhado) by unanimous decision
– Zeilton Nenzao (Pejor/Delfim) submittd Albino (Minotauro Team) via guillotine in R2
– Rene Forte (Nocaute) defeated Julio Cesar Merenda (TFT) by unanimous decision