Thiago Santos

Brazil series ~ Volume fifty four. Thiago ‘Big Monster’ Santos

Brazilian heavyweight Thiago ‘Big Monster’ Santos (11-2-0) is a veteran of Amazon FC, Rio Heroes and Bellator. From Rio De Janeiro Brazil he fights out of the Top Brother and American Top Team with 2 wins via knockout and 5 by submission he is a heavy handed puncher and a black belt in Jiu Jitsu. Santos began his fighting career in a 8 man same night tournament at Rio Heroes 10 in 2007. The only fight organisation that still used the old school vale tudo rules. Thiago would win all three fights and become the Heavyweight tournament winner. Thiago would go on to to fight MMA rules where he gained five more wins in Brazil before being signed to Bellator in 2011 for a heavyweight tournament reserve bout against Josh Burns. Thiago would win via rear naked choke in first round and put on a fantastic debut performance. With a twist of fate and some injuries to two other competitors, Thiago would face Neil Grove in the semi finals, where he spectacularly knocked Grove down and finished with a rear naked choke. Thiago Santos and Eric Prindle would both trade groin shots at Bellator 59 and 75. The rematch at 75 being the quarter finals of Bellator season 7 heavyweight tournament that saw Thiago Santos go through to the semi finals via DQ and on to face Rich Hale in which he sadly lost. Thiago Santos is a hard puncher and a quick finisher. He also has very good jiu jitsu and takedowns. I really enjoy watching him fight win or lose you know his fight is going to be fun while it lasts. I hope to see him back inside the Cage next year.

Alternative Video Links

Thiago Santos HL @ Blip tv

Thiago Santos HL @ Dailymotion

Sound Track – 50 Cent Ready for war

Fabricio Guerreiro

Brazil series ~ Volume fifty three. Fabricio ‘Guerreiro’ de Assis Costa da Silva

Fabricio Guerreiro is a Featherweight hailing from Santana Amapa, Brazil fighting out of the Clube de Judô Ronildo Nobre he is a veteran of WCC, Eco Fight and TUF Brazil Season 1. Fabricio Guerreiro began his career in 2009 going on an impressive 12 fight win streak before his first loss to Rafael Bastos which he avenged in the next fight as it was considered that the referee stopped the fight too soon in the first meeting between the two. His impressive record contains 12 wins via submission and 2 by K.O. In 2012 he was apart of the first season of The Ultimate Fighter Brazil, where he fought veteran Rodrigo Damn in the qualifying round to enter the house. He sadly lost in round 2 by choke. After returning with a win in August he was signed by Bellator for their future featherweight tournament in 2013 on Spike TV. Fabricio Guerreiro is an extremly well round young prospect coming up in the division. He has great stand up, Judo and Jiu Jitsu. It will be very interesting to see how he gets on inside the Bellator cage.

Alternative Video Links

Fabricio Guerreiro HL @ Blip tv

Fabricio Guerreiro HL @ Dailymotion

Sound Track – Go Hard or Go Home (2Deep)

Ronny Markes

Brazil series ~ Volume fifty two. Ronny Markes

Brazilian middleweight Ronny Markes (14-1-0) is a veteran of Shooto Brazil and the UFC. With 5 wins via knock out and 4 by submission, he hails from Rio Grande do Norte and fights out of Kimura Gym & Nova Uniao Team amongst champions such as Eduardo Dantas, Renan Barao & Jose Aldo under the tutildge of the great Andre Pederneiras. Ronny Markes began his MMA career in 2007 gaining 10 victories and the Shooto Brazil championship. After an impressive victory over former WEC champion Paulo Filho he was signed by the UFC and made his debut against wrestling champion Karlos Vemola in which he dominated with takedowns and ground and pound. In his next UFC appearance he came from behind after being dropped in round one from a lethal uppercut by Aaron Simpson, winning the next 2 rounds with control in the clinch and takedowns. Ronny Markes is a young up and coming middleweight fighter who looks to have very solid stand up and is extremely strong in the clinch and relentless with takedowns. I can see this prospect being a top contender in the division. 

“Wow man Thank You! Great show” ~  Ronny Markes

Alternative Video Links

Ronny Markes HL @ Blip tv

Ronny Markes HL @ Dailymotion

TIBAU

Brazil series ~ Volume fifty one. TIBAU

Lightweight powerhouse Gleison Tibau returns for another highlight which showcases his fights over the past two years

Alternative Video Links

TIBAU HL @ Blip tv

TIBAU HL @ Dailymotion

Sound Track – Black Mesa Questionable Ethics 1

Paulo Filho

Brazil series ~ Volume fifty. Paulo Filho

Paulo Filho (23-4-1) is a veteran of  DREAM, Pride FC & WEC. From Rio De Janeiro Brazil he is a Black belt in Judo and Jiu Jitsu fighting out of the famed Brazilian Top Team he debuted in July 2000 and went 8 years undefeated with an amazing 18-0 record and the WEC title. Between 2000-2004 he fought in Brazil and Japan for organisations such as Bitetti Combat, Pancrase and DEEP racking up 7 wins. He was eventually signed to Pride where he went on an amazing 7-0 undefeated streak with wins over Armar Suloev, Ryo Chonnan, Kazuo Misaki & Murilo Ninja Rua. After the fold of Pride he was considered the number 2 ranked middleweight behind UFC champion Anderson Silva. In 2007 Zuffa decided to put Filho in their WEC promotion, where he fought for the WEC middleweight championship against Joe Doerkson. He won via TKO and went on to successfully defend his title against Chael Sonnen winning via armbar. However Sonnen denied he tapped and a rematch was set 11 months later where Filho didn’t make weight and didn’t look his best in an awful fight Sonnen won via decision and Filho was released by WEC. It would later come out that Filho was suffering from pain killer addiction and depression. After getting clean and over his demons, Paulo Filho would return in spectacular fashion against Melvin Manoeff at DREAM 10 winning via armbar. Since then Filho has fought at heavyweight and at light heavy weight and this is where his most recent losses come from, to bigger fighters such as Ronny Markes. In 2012 Paulo returned to middleweight and destroyed Murilo Ninja in the much awaited rematch between the two as he dropped Ninja in 47 seconds of the first round. Paulo Filho is a great fighter and I hope this marks a return for him as one of the top middleweights in the world.

Alternative Video links

Paulo Filho HL @ Blip tv

Paulo Filho HL @ Dailymotion

Sound Track – Position Music – The New York Nightfall

Kinberly Novaes

Brazil series ~ Volume forty nine. Kinberly Novaes 

Kinberly Novaes (4-1-0) fighting out of the Junior Aguiar  Team in Santa Catarina, Brazil is a female fighter in the flyweight division (55KG/ 125lbs). With a background in Muay Thai she has competed and won championships such as the Golden Girls GP and Samurai Muay Thai -53K.G title. She has also represented the Brazilian national team in the world championships. Kinberly made her MMA debut in 2011 and is currently riding a 4 fight win streak. Already after one year  she has won two belts; the MKT Grand Prix title and the Nitrix FC -55KG/125lb championship. Kinberly is an aggressive Muay Thai fighter who likes to relentlessly throw combinations of kicks, knees and punches until her opponent falls. At just the age of 21 Kinberly Novaes is a prospect to look out for in the future.

“Great show, Many Thanks” ~ Kinberly Novaes

Alternative Video links

Kinberly Novaes HL @ Blip tv

Kinberly Novaes HL @ Dailymotion

Kinberly Novaes HL @ UOL

Sound Track - Michael Calfan – Resurrection (Axwell’s re-cut version)

Genair da Silva

Brazil series ~ Volume forty eight. Genair da Silva

Featherweight Genair da Silva (12-4-0) is a veteran of Fury FC, Platinum Fight, WOCS and Bellator. Commonly known by his nickname Junior PQP, he fights out of the RFT team in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil alongside fellow Bellator stars Luis Nogueira and Maiquel Falcao. Genair began fighting professionally in 2008 and since then has 7 wins via knock out and 2 by submission. In 2011 after impressive performances inside his native Brazil he was signed by Bellator to be apart of their Summer Series 2011. He debuted at Bellator 46 against top 10 featherweight Marlon Sandro losing a hard fought decision. He would return to Bellator later that year, against Bryan Goldsby winning via Darce choke. Genair would follow that win with a TKO of Bobby Reardanz at Bellator 62. Genair is a talented fighter with solid base in both Muay Thai and Luta Livra; an aggressive fighter always looking to finish, he will be one to watch out for in Bellators season 8 tournament.

Alternative Video links

Genair da Silva HL – Blip tv

Genair da Silva HL – Dailymotion

Genair da Silva HL – UOL

Sound Track – 2Pac Uppercut remix

Ronaldo Jacare

Brazil series ~ Volume forty seven. Ronaldo Jacaré Souza

Middleweight  Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza (16-3-0, 1 NC) is a veteran of Jungle Fight, DREAM & Strikeforce and a black belt in Judo and Jiu Jitsu. Prior to his MMA career, he was a 5 time world BJJ champion and the winner of the -87KG division at ADCC. Fighting out of the X-GYM,  he debuted for Jungle Fight in 2003 and created an impressive 7-1 record with many finishes by TKO strikes or submission. In 2008 he was signed by DREAM to compete in their middleweight tournament, where he defeated Ian Murphy, Jason Miller and Zelg Gaelsic to reach the finals, eventually losing to tournament winner Gegard Mousasi. In 2009 he was signed by Strikeforce, winning fights over veterans Matt Linland and Joey Villaseñor. In 2010 he defeated Tim Kennedy to win the Strikeforce middleweight belt. Ronaldo Jacare would defend his title successfully against Robbie lawler but would lose a controversial split decision to Luke Rockhold, in a fight where Jacare dropped Rockhold twice, scoring the heavier shots and landing multiple take downs. Since the defeat, Ronaldo Jacare has come back and looked amazing, with an arm triangle submission over Bristol Marunde and a knock out of Derek Brunston which guaranteed Jacare the next title shot. Ronaldo Jacare is world class on the ground and his striking is improving with every fight. Without doubt he is my favourite Jiu Jitsu fighter of all time.

Alternative Video links

Ronaldo Jacare Souza HL @ Blip tv

Ronaldo Jacare Souza HL @ Dailymotion

Ronaldo Jacare Souza HL @ UOL

Sound Track – God Within ~ Rain Cry (FIFA 99 OST)

Dhiego Lima

Brazil series ~ Volume forty six. Dhiego Lima

Dhiego Lima (7-1-0) is a veteran of XFC, SportFight and MFC. He is the younger brother of Bellator fighter Douglas Lima and fights out of the ATT/Ascension MMA in Atlanta Georgia coached by Roan Carneiro, Junior & Rafael Assuncao. Born in Brazil, Dhiego moved to the U.S at the age of 11. He began fighting at the amateur level in 2009 and by 2010 he was 3-0 as a professional signed by the MFC. He made an impressive debut over Bill Fraser at MFC 27 with a knockout in the first round. Following that win a submission over Josh Taveirne and a KO over Jamie Toney. In 2012 Dhiego Lima would be named as one of Sherdog’s top prospects with 2 knockouts and 4 submission wins in his 7-1 career. With solid Muay Thai and submissions, Lima is an aggressive fighter who looks for the finish, it’s no surprise why he’s been deemed a fighter to look out for  in the future.

Alternative Video links

Dhiego Lima HL @ Blip tv

Dhiego Lima HL @ Dailymotion

Dhiego Lima HL @ UOL

Sound Track – Lion & Prime ~ No fear

Patricky Pitbull Freire

Brazil series ~ Volume forty five. Patricky Pitbull Freire

Patricky Pitbull Freire (10-3-0) is a veteran of Leal Combat, Platinum Fight and Bellator. Fighting out of Team Nogueira in Brazil he is a black belt in Jiu Jitsu and well versed in Boxing.  He is the older brother of fellow Bellator fighter Patricio Pitbull. Patricky began fighting MMA in 2005 for local shows in Natal and in his first 3 fights he won via Knock out. By 2010 Patricky was 8-1 and would be signed to Bellator, following his younger brother into the organisation for their season 4 lightweight tournament. Patricky imediately impressed with a knock out of Rob McCullough in the quarter finals and a TKO over Toby Imada in the semi’s. Patricky would go on to face Michael Chandler, losing in a hard fought decision that saw Patricky take an illegal low blow in every round.  Patricky would return at Bellator 59 with a TKO over Kurt Pellegrino but sadly lose in a war against Llyod Woodard where he got his arm broken in a Kimura submission. Patricky Freire will next be fighting former champion Eddie Alvarez. With 7 wins via knock out Patricky Pitbull is always exciting to watch in Bellators lightweight division.

“Many Thanks! The first images were very emotional” Patricky Freire

Alternative Video links

Patricky Pitbull Freire HL @ Blip tv

Patricky Pitbull Freire HL @ Dailymotion

Patricky Pitbull Freire HL @ UOL

Sound Track –

1. Zack Hemsey – Redemption

2. When I come back (Instrumental)