Paulao does last training session in building where he lives / Carlos Eduardo Ozório.
The Bitetti Combat organization confirmed yet another big name for the September 12 event to be held in the Maracanazinho gymnasium, in Rio de Janeiro. Paulo Filho, who has appeared in the past in Pride and the WEC, is guaranteed on the card.
“I’d like to congratulate the entire organization for this opportunity. MMA was created here many years ago by the Gracie family, some of the best fighters in the world are from here and we aren’t recognized in our own country. In the United States the UFC is a great success, turning lots of profit, and I couldn’t understand why such opportunity had never arisen here. If we have the best athletes it’s only right we have a big event too,” said the fighter.
On the terrace of his building in Copacabana, Paulao finishes up training for his next challenge the coming 20th, at Dream, where he will face Melvin Manhoef. Nevertheless, the black belt already knows what will come next in the Brazilian organization, as Alex Shonawer, a Sergio Penha student, has been names as his opponent.
“I believe the American comes from another style, he can’t be better at it than I am at Jiu-Jitsu. Now what I need to find out is what his characteristics are, to study them along with my coaches Josuel Distak, Amaury Bitetti and Master Oswaldo Alves, to put together a strategy and take him out of his comfort zone. I need to do what’s good for me and not let him do what’s good for him,” he analyzed.
Away from the rings since November of 2008, when he suffered his first loss and dropped out to deal with problems with depression, Paulo states that he is brimming with desire to fight in Brazil again. The fighter hopes Bitetti Combat will show the strength of MMA to Brazilians.
“May MMA come to stay, to undo the bad impression people have of it and to value those who train to fight gladiator who also ready themselves to fight in the ring, with rules and for money,” he finished.
The other fights confirmed for the event include Fury FC champion Leandro Batata against Cassiano Tytschyo and Vitor Miranda against Fabio Maldonado.
Check out the car as it stands (subject to change):
Ricardo Arona vs Marvin Eastman
Paulo Filho vs Alex Shonawer
Rogério Minotouro vs Alex Stiebling
Pedro Rizzo vs Jeff Monson
Glover Teixeira vs Leonardo Chocolate
Vitor Miranda vs Fabio Maldonado
Luciano Azevedo vs Milton Vieira
Henrique Chocolate vs Eduardo Pamplona
Leandro Batata vs Cassiano Tytschyo
Alexandre Pulga vs Luciano Yzzy
