Johnny Eduardo remembers anything goes rules. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @johnnyufc
Present in MMA since the beginning, Johnny Eduardo opened the game and spoke about the conditions he lived in to grow in the sport. Professional since 1996, the athlete recalled rules imposed by events in the past and stated that he performed up to three times a night, with a huge weight disadvantage compared to his opponents.
“At that time it was what provided the most for us, what provided the most money for you to stay employed. And at that time there were only events with three fights on the same night. You had to have three fights on the same night to be champion of the event. The categories were up to 60kg, up to 70kg, up to 80kg. If you were 71kg, you would fight up to 80kg, there was no such thing as losing weight, dehydrating”, said Johnny in an interview with 'Combat'.
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As he continued his speech, the Nova União pupil highlighted his experience in 'anything goes'.
“I remember that I ate a lot to be able to lose weight. I've already fought in the under-80kg category at 72kg. At that time it was difficult to have three fights on the same night, you fought an event without rules, with a 30-minute round, and sometimes there could be another 10 minutes too, if the judge couldn't see a champion. You had to practically give your life to fight. It was this phase that I caught,” he concluded.
Johnny Eduardo celebrates knockout over Wineland in Cincinnati. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
With passage through Jungle Fight, Shooto, Bellator and UFC, Johnny mixed between losses and achievements during a long career in MMA. Former training partner José Aldo, the Rio de Janeiro native hung up his gloves after accumulating three consecutive defeats in Ultimate and recording the 13th setback in his record.
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