Kevin beats Solado and wins the Jungle belt. Photo: Fernando Azevedo
Kevin Souza is the first featherweight champion (up to 66kg) in the history of the Jungle Fight. On Friday night (26), in the 51st edition of the event, held at the Botafogo gymnasium, in Rio de Janeiro, the Bahian based in Florianópolis knocked out Fabiano Soldado in the first round and joined a select group that has names like Erick silva, Iuri Marajó, Ildemar Marajó and John Lineker – all currently in the UFC. It was Kevin's 14th triumph in 17 fights, 13 of which were knockouts.
Despite the victory coming in the first round, Kevin Souza needed an incredible comeback to become champion. Considered an underdog, Fabiano Soldado started the fight with a right cross, which knocked his opponent down. After being on the bottom in the ground fight, suffering from several punches for almost four minutes, Kevin got up and, during a standup, landed a spectacular cross in the counterattack, knocking Soldado out immediately and securing the title.
“My stand-up part is trained by the greatest legend of Brazilian boxing, Kelson Pinto. My floor Nazareno Malegarie e Thiago tavares. I can stay on the ground defending myself, but I'm looking for the knockout and if there's an opening it will be like this. Everyone knows my school and I'm going to finish it. It’s Team Tavares with the belt”, said the 28-year-old athlete.
Arnold Schwarzenegger honors Kléber Pride's victory
Great guest of the night, Arnold Schwarzenegger was unable to deliver the “initial punch” of the Jungle Fight 51 due to delays in professional commitments, but while he was in the gym he watched Kléber Orgulho's brilliant performance. The Bahian didn't give Ricardo Hulk a chance, who replaced Salomão Ribeiro at the last minute, and in a spectacular combination of the already well-known boxing from the Champion Team gym with surprising muay thai, he alternated punches, knees and kicks and forced the referee to stop the fight even in the first round.
The “Terminator” and former governor of California received a standing ovation from the public when he took to the center of the Jungle Arena and praised MMA. “I love this sport, I think it’s a lot of fun. It takes a lot of courage to do that and it's great to have MMA as part of the Arnold Classics. I've been watching MMA for many years, and it's a great sport because you need to be in shape, have endurance, technical skills and strength. It's unique. Promoting good physical fitness and health is what we want to pass on to young people around the world,” said Schwarzenegger.
Check out the full results from the Jungle Fight 51:
Kevin Souza defeated Fabiano Soldado by knockout in R1;
Fabiano Jacarezinho defeated Alexandre Capitão in a split decision by the judges;
Kléber Orgulho defeated Ricardo Hulk by technical knockout in R1;
Martin Ottaviano defeated Vitor Libra by technical knockout in R3;
Jonas Bilharinho defeated Allan Miguel by technical knockout in R2;
William Gigante defeated Leandrão Ferreira by technical knockout in R1;
Marcus Vinícius Cabecinha submitted Sidney Abedi with a triangle in R1.
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