Flyweight Jussier Formiga is the main attraction for this Friday's Shooto. Photo: Carlos Ozório.
This Friday in the Brazilian capital of Brasilia, Shooto Brazil champion Jussier Formiga will be putting his flyweight belt up for grabs against Junior Abedo. With 13 wins a lone loss on his ledger, Formiga had a stint at the top of the world rankings for the weight class. If he manages to pull off another win in defending his belt, he hopes it will get him a nod from the president of the UFC.
“I want to catch Dana White’s attention. That’s why everyone should tune in to this fight—I want to impress,” he advised. “My weight class just became a part of the UFC, and the one responsible for my only loss is there—Ian McCall. I’d love to face him again, and if I could get a rematch for my UFC debut, it would be great,” he added.
But first Formiga has to beat Junior Abedi (5w, 2l, 1NC), who has taken out one of Jussier’s training partners in the past.
“He’s a really versatile guy, from a luta livre background. The last time I defended my title I got to watch him. He beat Aquiles Campos, who trains with me. He’s a dangerous adversary, but I’ve been the world number one before, and want to be again,” he declared.
The other title fight on the card has André Mikito and Ismael Marmota facing off for the middleweight belt. Check out the complete card:
Shooto Brasil 31
June 29, 2012
Brasília, Brazil
Jussier Formiga (Kimura/NU-RN) vs Junior Abedi (Relma VT-RJ)
André Mikito (Mikito Team-Belém) vs Ismael Marmota (Fernando Boi/NU-GO)
Jeferson Santos (GO) vs Bruce Souto (BH) – 77kg
Roger Vieira (DF) vs Lucas Caiu (DF) – 66kg
Goiti Yamauchi (SC ) vs Juliano Ninja (RJ) RFT – 70kg
Matheus Pereira (NU) vs Gilberto Dias (DF) – 57kg
Fernando Fio (DF) vs Luiz Gustavo Besouro(RJ) – 77kg
Diogo Osama (DF) vs Thiago Fernandes (SP) – 88kg
Henrique Mello(RJ) NU vs Cézar Gordinho (BH) – 70,5kg
Sarion Adams (PR) vs Julio Cesar (GO) – 84kg
Fabiano Adams (SC) vs Marcos Pezão (SP) 011 MMA – 90 kg