Jungle Fight in Mangueira hills: “Fighting is the way of edifying these kids”

Photo: Celso Magno/Jungle Fight.

Ivo Meirelles is the president of the samba school Mangueira, 18 times winner of the carnival in Rio. The musician was one of those responsible for carrying out the Jungle Fight 34, in Mangueira last Saturday in Rio de Janeiro. On a rehearsing day in preparation for Carnival 2012, the court of the samba school gave way to MMA. Ivo explains:

“Yes, today was a rehearsing day, but I wanted to bring something new to our people. Next time, we will choose a day that doesn’t disturb samba, but this time, I wanted to be so. Saturday is a day that everybody leaves home, so it’s a great chance to see these fights from a closer distance and to learn something new”, said to GRACIEMAG.com.
Samba has always been the opportunity to have fun and even to have a career. Meirelles, who was thrilled with every fight, thinks MMA will have the same path.

“It is a sport and an opportunity for young people from here. We have a bunch of bully boys here in the favela. This week, I presented one to Wallid (Jungle Fight president). He said that if he likes to fight, he should practice with Wallid. Fighting is a good way of edifying these kids!”, Ivo concluded, right afetar black belt Adriano Martins gets the Jungle Fight lightweight belt.