Braga celebrates his victory over Ceconi. Photo: Carlos Ozório.

Antonio Braga Neto fought at home in Manaus trials for the World Professional Championship, but it wasn’t easy. In fact, his most difficult fight was on the first day of the competition, against a local opponent.

“I was very nervous. I hadn’t fought here in Manaus for a long time, so it was a big responsibility for me. I’ve decided to fight in a different category of which I had signed up at the last minute. I was going to fight in MMA, so I was already losing weight. I had to lose a lot of weight from one day to another and I didn’t feel well. But today (finals day), I was able to have good fights”, said the champion of the 92kg category, who submitted Rigoney Castro in the semifinals with an omoplata and defeated Alexandro Ceconi in the finals with 11 to 0.

Guaranteed in Abu Dhabi, Braga will continue with the action on the mats. But now the main goal, even more important than being absolute champion in the Mundial or in Abu Dhabi, is to become a UFC fighter. The black belt wants to participate in Brazilian TUF’s edition, the Ultimate Fighting reality show.

“Unfortunately, today I can’t focus so much on Jiu-Jitsu. In fact, I think I went through many ups and downs due to not being totally focused. MMA is growing a lot and I’m more into it, lately. I don’t have the absolute championship with kimono, but I have the no-gi one. I’m two-time black belt world champion, I have 11 gold medals in World Championships by IBJJF. I know Jiu-Jitsu has opened many doors, I have a great life, but I just turned 24 and the responsibility is increasing. It’s time to build a more solid career and MMA gives me a better final stability. Today, I seek for a rise in MMA and, who knows, be part of UFC”, commented.

“TUF was what helped the popularity of MMA in the U.S. and of course this will also happen in Brazil. I want to be part of it. I come from an unknown part of Brazil for many people (Manaus) and people aren’t aware of the amount of tough guys coming out here. I think when you dedicate five entire years of your life, whether the activity is, you grow, it’s rewarding. I have done it and it changed my life. Now I want the same in MMA”, concluded.

Registration for TUF is open in br.ufc.com since last Sunday. Will we see Braga Neto on the TV screen?

Gregor celebrates win, in photo by Dan Rod.

Gregor Gracie, 24, had his work cut out for him in notching his sixth win in seven MMA fights. Gregor saw action this Saturday in Singapore at ONE FC, a promotion holding its maiden event with the purpose of becoming Asia’s premier MMA show. For now, at least, it is shoring up the market amidst the decline of the sport in the continent’s greatest superpower, Japan.

Facing South Korea’s Seok Mo Kim, the black belt had to go the full three rounds. Of Gregor’s six wins, this is the only one resulting in a decision – a unanimous one. The Gracie managed to pull off a submission in all five of his other victorious performances.

In another heavily anticipated matchup, Yoshiyuki Yoshida overcame former UFC fighter Phil Baroni. Now Roberto Gordo black belts Leandro Brodinho and Zorobabel Moreira, our GMA representatives in Singapore, also defeated their respective opponents.

Check out the complete results:

Leandro Issa defeated Soo Chul Kim via unanimous decision;
Yodsanan Sityodtong defeated Daniel Mashamaite via TKO in R2;
Vuyisile Colossa defeated Xing Yu Ma via TKO in R1;
Eddie NG defeated Chun Bo Yuan via KO in R1;
Zorobabel Moreira defeated Andy Wang via TKO in R2;
Gregor Gracie defeated Seok Mo Kim via unanimous decision;
Eric Kelly defeated Mitch Chilson via guillotine in R3;
Yoshiyuki Yoshida defeated Phil Baroni via unanimous decision;
Eduard Folayang defeated A Sol Kwon via unanimous decision.

Gregor comemora em foto de Dan Rod.

Gregor Gracie, 24 anos, não teve moleza na sexta vitória em sete lutas de MMA. Gregor esteve em ação, neste sábado, no OneFC, evento em Cingapura que tem como meta se firmar como maior organização da Ásia. Por enquanto, pelo menos, agita o mercado frente à decadência da modalidade na até então maior potência do continente, o Japão.

Contra Seok Mo Kim, da Coreia do Sul, o faixa-preta precisou lutar os três rounds. Nas seis vitórias de Gregor, esta é a única por decisão – unânime. Em todas as outras apresentações, o Gracie finalizou.

Em outra luta aguardada, Yoshiyuki Yoshida bateu o ex-UFC Phil Baroni. Já os faixas-pretas de Roberto Gordo Leandro Brodinho e Zorobabel Moreira, representantes da nossa GMA Evolve, também derrotaram os seus oponentes.

Confira os resultados:

Leandro Issa venceu Soo Chul Kim por decisão unânime
Yodsanan Sityodtong venceu Daniel Mashamaite por TKO no R2
Vuyisile Colossa venceu Xing Yu Ma por TKO no R1
Radeem Rahman venceu Susovan Ghosh por TKO no R1
Eddie Ng venceu Chun Bo Yuan por KO no R1
Zorobabel Moreira venceu Andy Wang por TKO no R2
Gregor Gracie venceu Seok Mo Kim por decisão unânime
Eric Kelly finalizou Mitch Chilson com uma guilhotina no R3
Yoshiyuki Yoshida venceu Phil Baroni por decisão unânime
Eduard Folayang venceu A Sol Kwon por decisão unânime