In the end, the new champion played the fan. Photos: Mauro Borges Filho.
Crammed into the back of the fan that would take us to the Caesar Park hotel in São Paulo’s upscale Itaim Bibi neighborhood, Yuri “Marajó” and his team joked around and celebrated the brand new Jungle Fight title belt, produced especially for the under-70 kg (under-155 lbs) GP held last Saturday in one of Ibirapuera park’s gymnasiums.
Yuri (33w, 3l) and his brother Queixinho chatted about the two victories in one night. Besides the final against Peru’s Manuelo Morales, who had to shed six kilos (thirteen pounds) the night before the fight and was not up to par on the day and was put away with a kick to the midsection, Yuri had a riveting fight against the dreaded Francisco Massaranduba, an Ataide Junior student who had Rani Yahya in his corner.
Sitting two seats up, notorious MMA trainer Luis “Bebeo” Duarte turned around and said in his usual forthright way: “You suffered before snagging that arm, huh? I’ve never seen anyone so determined to grab an arm.”
Indeed, Massaranduba went after him the whole time, punishing Yuri with strikes through the guard. Until, two minutes and twenty-four seconds into the second round, the hold on the arm took, going according to the plan of the Jiu-Jitsu black belt from Belém, Brazil, who trained with his famous hometown counterpart Lyoto Machida in the lead up to Wallid Ismail’s event.
“Now I want to fight abroad,” pleaded Yuri over the microphone. For the time being, though, no deal has been sealed, but it shouldn’t be long in coming. His fight was broadcast on the USA’s ESPN Deportes Spanish-language channel, and an invitation is bound to come in.
Beyond the belt, the new champion conquered another trophy. Upon stepping down from the ring, referee Carlão Barreto called him aside and introduced him to a friend in a red jacket: “Hey Yuri, don’t you walk out to this guy’s music?”
It was Brazilian gospel rapper Pregador Lou, who has a number of songs about MMA.
“Dang! Man, I want a photo,” and the lightweight Jungle Fight champion got up close for the picture, with Quexinho following suit.
The driver could now head off for the hotel. The task at hand was complete.
Jungle Fight by Pretorian
Ibirapuera Gymnasium, São Paulo, Brazil
September 18, 2010
Eduardo Pamplona (Gibi Thai) defeated Ediberto Crocotá (Champion) via unanimous judges’ decision
Augusto “Dogers” Montaño (México) submitted Edvaldo Jose “Gameth” (Master) via guillotine 41 seconds into R2
Alessandro Zoio (Chute Boxe) vs Johil de Oliveira – No Contest after Johil was injured by body slam in R1R
Marcelo Guimarães (Caveira) defeated Erick Becker via technical knockout in R2
Under-70 kg GP
Yuri Marajó (Striker) submitted Francisco Massaranduba (Constriction) via armbar 2:24 min into R2
Manuelo Morales (Peru) defeated Rodolfo Perez (Mexico) via judges’ decision
Final: Yuri Marajó defeated Manuelo Morales via technical knockout 15 seconds into R1
Manuelo Morales (Peru) venceu Rodolfo Perez (Mexico) por decisão dos jurados
Final: Yuri Marajó venceu Manuelo Morales por nocaute técnico aos 15s do 1R
