Demente and Ortiz training together / Publicity photo
A well-known entity in competition Jiu-Jitsu, Ricardo Abreu, better known as Demente (meaning “demented” in Portuguese), will be making his MMA debut. He’ll take the first step in his new career at the July 9 Brazilian Fighting Championship event in São José do Rio Preto, in the Brazilian state of São Paulo. His opposition should be announced in the coming days.
Ricardo, who turned 27 in April, is making the transition from Jiu-Jitsu to MMA in California under the guidance of UFC star Tito Ortiz, with whom he has trained since late last year, when the MMA star called on him to help iron out his ground game.
“Tito has been orienting me on everything that goes on in the octagon. And given his extraordinary career, I feel much calmer and more confident about the fight,” he says.
“But there’s always anxiety; after all, I’ll be making my debut in such a competitive style and one I want to be as successful at as I’ve been in Jiu-Jitsu,” admits Demente.
