UFC champion Junior Cigano was promoted to black belt by his instructor Yuri Carlton this Saturday. (Via dos Santos’ Instagram)
by Carlos Arthur Jr
Junior Cigano added another distinction to his accomplished career in the martial arts. The current holder of the UFC heavyweight belt was promoted to the rank of black belt in Jiu-Jitsu this Saturday. Yuri Carlton, his first gentle-art instructor, was the one who delivered the honor.
The happy UFC champion had the following to say over Twitter:
“Thanks goes out to the man who discovered me and my who is my master, Yuri Carlton, for always being by my side on this journey. I feel honored to receive the black belt today,” said Cigano in thanks.
Just one of the Brazilian now-black belt’s 15 wins come by way of submission. He overcame Frank Mir in his last appearance in the octagon, at UFC 146, and will now defend his title and honor his black belt at UFC 155 on December 29, when he takes on Cain Velasquez, from whom he first captured the belt at the inaugural UFC on Fox event.
