Willamy Chiquerim

Shooto World champion Willamy “Chiqueirim” Freire handed over the organizational belt and dove in to his new commitment with the UFC. August 1 marks his debut against also-Brazilian Thiago Tavares; a matchup announced first hand here on GRACIEMAG.com, with whom he sat down and spoke of his expectations for his next big challenge.

You held the Shooto World belt, a title recognized the world over. How do you feel about having an opportunity in the UFC?

I’m really happy. If God put me in this event, it’s because there’s some purpose for me there. That’s what I believe. This whole battle I went through to get here – with 11-straight victories – was a process of learning. I feel good about where I am right now and that’s what’s important.

In action in Shooto

What are your thoughts on facing Thiago Tavares?

I’d rather face a non-Brazilian, but when it comes down to it it makes no difference. He’s an opponent like any other. This is what I do and my profession comes first. Thiago’s an experienced fighter who has had many fights and likes to go on the attack. I’m just coming in, but I’m stoked about this fight. I think the crowd’s going to love it.

What about the lightweight division? Do you agree that it’s one of the most stacked divisions out there?

It’s one of the toughest out there. All the fighters are top. They’re all first rate and you’ll only make it to the top by working hard and showing a lot of heart. It’ll be rough.

Striking is his specialty. Photo: Carlos Ozório

Thiago Tavares is a Jiu-Jitsu specialist and you lean more towards striking. Are you prepared to go to the ground with him and the others out there in the UFC?

I’ve been training a lot of grappling and emphasizing wrestling. But I’m working on my striking more than ever and my muay thai is up to speed. I feel I’m prepared to fight on the ground, but I’d rather fight standing. If I have to go to the ground, though, I’m ready.

I’d like to thank everyone: Completa Nova União, and the gang from GRACIEMAG.com.

Chiquerim to make UFC debut. Photo: Carlos Ozório

Willamy Chiquerim told GRACIEMAG.com this week how he would seal a deal with a major worldwide event. The event in question is the UFC. This Friday, trainer and manager of team Nova União André Pederneiras confirmed the date and opponent for the Shooto lightweight champion’s debut in the promotion.
“He fights August 1 against Thiago Tavares,” says Dedé, who is pleased to have yet another athlete in the promotion.
Recently Amilcar Alves also signed with the UFC and will make his debut against Mike Pierce at UFC 118, also in August.

On June 12 Dedé will hold his next Shooto Brazil show, the very show that launched Chiquerim and Amilcar.

“It’s been four years since I took the reins at Shooto and we’ve exported a total of 24 fighters to international MMA. That’s proof of how I bank on my athletes. Chiquerim even lost his Shooto Brazil debut. I had faith in his quality as a fighter and he went on to become South American and World champion. Now he’s in the UFC, which proves Shooto’s real projection” he says in celebration.

“We’re ironing out the final details, which is why I asked you not to reveal the name of the event, as it could hamper the negotiations. But everything’s moving on the right track and I even have a likely date to fight. We’ll release the info at the right time,” he told GRACIEMAG.com.

The fighter was linked with a move to Sengoku, but now his destination is set for the United States.

“I had to give up the belt. Dedé (André Pederneiras) wanted me to hand it over in the ring, over in Japan. While I was there for the fight he told me the procedures of what to do by phone.”

Fight with Yusuke Endo. Photo: Personal archive

Very content, Chiquerim comments on how the second outing with Yusuke Endo went, opening new opportunities in his career.

“It was a tough fight. It was a tight dispute, but I think I won the three rounds, even though they didn’t give me all of them. Just my having won the decision in Japan goes to show how I really did take an advantage. The guy got tougher and the fight was much more different from what I expected. We fought standing and he tried to take me down. I did good once there, getting the mount and sinking an arm-and-neck choke. I also got a knockdown and it was great,” he says in finishing.

Chiquerim versus Yusuke Endo. Photo: Personal archive

Brazil’s Willamy Freire, better known as “Chiquerim”, left his first Shooto lightweight-title defense, against Yusuke Endo, victorious this Sunday in Japan.

The first time he faced Endo, Chiquerim finished him off quickly. This time the Nova União Completa representative took a split decision.

Another Nova União representative to leave the Shooto World ring victorious was Eduardo Dantas. The Shooto Brazil bantamweight champion ended his bout with Hiromasa Ogikubo with a rear-naked choke.

Check out the results:

Shooto World
May 31, 2010
Tokyo, Japan

Hatsu Hiok defeated Takeshi Inoue via split decision

Willamy Freire defeated Yusuke Endo via split decision

Yasuhiro Urushitani defeatd Ryuichi Miki via unanimous decision

Rumina Sato defeatd Ryota Matsune via TKO 21 seconds into R1

Masakatsu Ueda defeated Akitoshi Tamura via unanimous decision

Eduardo Dantas submitted Hiromasa Ogikubo via rear-naked choke at 1:21min of R3

Kotetsu Boku defeated Yoshihiro Koyama via unanimous decision

Shintaro Ishiwatari defeated Wataru Miki via majority decision

Chiquerim worked on his striking for Shooto. Photo: Carlos Eduardo

Willamy Chiquerim is in the final phase of his prep-work for his first Shooto World title defense against Yusuke Endo. It will be the second time the two meet. On the first occasion, Chiquerim finished with a guillotine choke. This time around, though, the Nova União fighter will be seeking the knockout.

“I put a lot of emphasis on my standing game. I’m doing a lot of strike work in training. That’s what sells and the crowd wants to see a show. Yusuke Endo has a really strong ground game, so he’ll try and take me down, but I’m going to try and keep it standing as much as possible.”

Another cause for concern is how the judges interpret the fight. The bout cannot go to a decision.

“I’m well-trained on the ground but, as I said, I’m working a lot on my striking. In Japan there’s often a lot of controversy surrounding fights that go to a decision, so I want to decide this fight by knockout or submission. That’s what’s going on in my head. I don’t want it to go to the scorecards.”

Photo: Carlos Ozório

Besides defending his lightweight belt, the fight in Japan means much more to Chiquerim. The fighter had already told GRACIEMAG.com about the possibility of his going to Sengoku, although negotiations are still open.

“Truth is that I have a few great offers but they depend on this fight. I can’t announce anything yet, but, after this fight, God willing, something new will come up,” says the fighter from the Brazilian state of Ceará, who hasn’t forgotten his crew in the Brazilian Northeast.

“I have to thank my team in the Northeast, Completa Nova União. I train with them when I’m back home,” he says in finishing.

“I never imagined I’d have such a tough opponent. Shooto always gives me hard fights. But that’s the way it has to be and these fights are worthwhile,” remarks Chiquerim.

Chiquerim at Shooto Brazil 15

For his next challenge, the beast from the Brazilian state of Ceara defends his world title against Japan’s Yusuke Endo. However, he soon he should also make an appearance in another major Japanese promotion, Sengoku.

“On May 30 I put my belt on the line and then I go on to Sengoku. I’ve already received the gloves and all I have to do is put the belt up for grabs to finalize things,” he tells GRACIEMAG.com.

Nevertheless, he remains focused on his upcoming Shooto bout.

“I’m going to fight Yusuke Endo. I faced him in my first appearance in Shooto Japan and I submitted him in the first round (via guillotine). But I believe he’ll be different this time around, with what it takes to beat me. That’s how it is, each fight is a different story and I plan to be really well prepared to represent my country,” says Chiquerim, before giving thanks:

“I’d like to thank my family, my girlfriend and my team that has supported me, both in Ceara and in Rio,” he says in finishing.