“LOURO” READY FOR HIS WEC DEBUT
Marcos “Louro” Galvao makes his World Extreme Cagefighting debut on Dec. 12 against Hardcore Gym’s Brian Bowles.
The Shooto veteran holds wins over Kenji Osawa and Fredson Paixao and looks to establish himself as one of the top 135-pound fighters in the world.
"This is a great opportunity in my life and I have been looking forward to fighting in the U.S. Now I have my opportunity and I will give it my best," expressed the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Andre Pederneiras.
Galvao spent the majority of his career thus far fighting in Shooto. Now that the Brazilian has signed with the WEC, will he ever return to the organization where he started his career?
“I'll only fight there [Shooto] if it is for the title and if the WEC allows me to,” stated Galvao.
“I want to fight and win the title. I've only fought tough guys in Shooto and now I want to fight the toughest guys in the WEC. I want to fight the best fighters in the world. I want to show people in America what I do and win to show how Nova Uniao fighters are the best in the world.”
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS FOR DANTAS
Marcos Galvao’s departure from Shooto opened the doors for teammate Eduardo Dantas.
"Since Marcos is going to the WEC and will no longer be fighting in Shooto, they needed a Brazilian to take his place,” said Dantas. “Someone from Shooto called Andre Pederneiras and he gave them my name and sent them my fights."
With only three fights under his belt, the 18-year-old takes on 123-pound Shooto champion Shinichi “BJ” Kojima at Shooto “Back to our Roots 6.” The Rio de Janeiro resident will face the biggest challenge of his short career.
"Training is going well. I've got good stamina. I'm training three times a day and am well prepared. I'm ready to explode for three rounds," said Dantas.
Coming off of a win over Yasuhiro Akagi in July, Kojima moves up to 132-pounds to take on the young Nova Uniao fighter. A victory for Dantas would propel the Brazilian prospect up in the rankings and provide him with instant name recognition.
"I think he's a normal guy. He trades punches well and does a little of everything,” commented Dantas about his opponent. “I'm not going to give him any respect. I'm gonna bang from the beginning and try to end the fight in the first round.”
TWO UNDEFEATED TALENTS PANCRASE-BOUND
Marlon Sandro and Hacran Dias put their unblemished records on the line when they make their Pancrase debuts on Nov. 28.
Sandro faces one of the biggest challenges of his career when he takes on Featherweight King of Pancrase runner-up Daiki “DJ Taiki” Hata, while Dias hopes to make a successful entry when he meets Eriya Matsuda in 70-kilogram (154-pound) action.
“He’s a tough opponent and he is good standing,” commented Sandro about Hata. "He will have the fans there behind him, but I've already fought on other opponents’ home turf and it won’t be a problem. It is definitely the most important fight of my career. God is giving me an opportunity that I have been hoping for ever since I first started training."
MISCELLANEOUS NOVA UNIAO NOTES:
– Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro is recovering from eye surgery to correct an injury he sustained in his last fight against Gesias “JZ” Calvancante. The former Shooto Champion hopes to return to training soon.
– Thales Leites continues to train as he waits for a call from the Ultimate Fighting Championship. UFC president Dana White has named Leites as a possible opponent to contend for Anderson Silva’s 185-pound title.
– Jose Aldo has pulled out of his match against Yuji Hoshino on the Nov. 28 Pancrase Rising Tour show. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt dreamed of fighting in the U.S. and made the personal decision not to sign a one-year contract that would have prevented him from fighting outside of Pancrase.
– Leandro “Batata” Silva looks to rebound from back-to-back losses when he faces 2005 Shooto Cruiserweight Rookie of the Year Masashi Yozen on the undercard of Shooto “Back to Our Roots 6.”
– Wagnney Fabiano moved on to the finals of the first ever International Fight League Grand Prix this past weekend with a submission victory over John Gunderson. He will face undefeated Chris Horodecki on Dec. 29 to determine the IFL’s first lightweight champion.
Marcos “Louro” Galvao makes his World Extreme Cagefighting debut on Dec. 12 against Hardcore Gym’s Brian Bowles.
The Shooto veteran holds wins over Kenji Osawa and Fredson Paixao and looks to establish himself as one of the top 135-pound fighters in the world.
"This is a great opportunity in my life and I have been looking forward to fighting in the U.S. Now I have my opportunity and I will give it my best," expressed the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Andre Pederneiras.
Galvao spent the majority of his career thus far fighting in Shooto. Now that the Brazilian has signed with the WEC, will he ever return to the organization where he started his career?
“I'll only fight there [Shooto] if it is for the title and if the WEC allows me to,” stated Galvao.
“I want to fight and win the title. I've only fought tough guys in Shooto and now I want to fight the toughest guys in the WEC. I want to fight the best fighters in the world. I want to show people in America what I do and win to show how Nova Uniao fighters are the best in the world.”
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS FOR DANTAS
Marcos Galvao’s departure from Shooto opened the doors for teammate Eduardo Dantas.
"Since Marcos is going to the WEC and will no longer be fighting in Shooto, they needed a Brazilian to take his place,” said Dantas. “Someone from Shooto called Andre Pederneiras and he gave them my name and sent them my fights."
With only three fights under his belt, the 18-year-old takes on 123-pound Shooto champion Shinichi “BJ” Kojima at Shooto “Back to our Roots 6.” The Rio de Janeiro resident will face the biggest challenge of his short career.
"Training is going well. I've got good stamina. I'm training three times a day and am well prepared. I'm ready to explode for three rounds," said Dantas.
Coming off of a win over Yasuhiro Akagi in July, Kojima moves up to 132-pounds to take on the young Nova Uniao fighter. A victory for Dantas would propel the Brazilian prospect up in the rankings and provide him with instant name recognition.
"I think he's a normal guy. He trades punches well and does a little of everything,” commented Dantas about his opponent. “I'm not going to give him any respect. I'm gonna bang from the beginning and try to end the fight in the first round.”
TWO UNDEFEATED TALENTS PANCRASE-BOUND
Marlon Sandro and Hacran Dias put their unblemished records on the line when they make their Pancrase debuts on Nov. 28.
Sandro faces one of the biggest challenges of his career when he takes on Featherweight King of Pancrase runner-up Daiki “DJ Taiki” Hata, while Dias hopes to make a successful entry when he meets Eriya Matsuda in 70-kilogram (154-pound) action.
“He’s a tough opponent and he is good standing,” commented Sandro about Hata. "He will have the fans there behind him, but I've already fought on other opponents’ home turf and it won’t be a problem. It is definitely the most important fight of my career. God is giving me an opportunity that I have been hoping for ever since I first started training."
MISCELLANEOUS NOVA UNIAO NOTES:
– Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro is recovering from eye surgery to correct an injury he sustained in his last fight against Gesias “JZ” Calvancante. The former Shooto Champion hopes to return to training soon.
– Thales Leites continues to train as he waits for a call from the Ultimate Fighting Championship. UFC president Dana White has named Leites as a possible opponent to contend for Anderson Silva’s 185-pound title.
– Jose Aldo has pulled out of his match against Yuji Hoshino on the Nov. 28 Pancrase Rising Tour show. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt dreamed of fighting in the U.S. and made the personal decision not to sign a one-year contract that would have prevented him from fighting outside of Pancrase.
– Leandro “Batata” Silva looks to rebound from back-to-back losses when he faces 2005 Shooto Cruiserweight Rookie of the Year Masashi Yozen on the undercard of Shooto “Back to Our Roots 6.”
– Wagnney Fabiano moved on to the finals of the first ever International Fight League Grand Prix this past weekend with a submission victory over John Gunderson. He will face undefeated Chris Horodecki on Dec. 29 to determine the IFL’s first lightweight champion.