Shooto Brasil, one of the main MMA organizations in the country, raised controversy with the announcement that it would hold a fight between a man and a woman at event number 45, which will take place this Friday (20), in Rio de Janeiro. Juliana Velasquez, from Team Nogueira, was selected against Emerson Falcão, from Nova União, in a fight valid for the bantamweight category (up to 61 kg).
However, according to the SUPER FIGHTS, The events are part of a marketing campaign supported by Shooto, which aims to protest against violence against women. The intention of the event is for Falcão and Juliana to undergo all standard procedures before the fight, which also includes weigh-ins. At the time of the fight, the athletes would go up to the ring and unfurl a banner, clarifying the campaign and leaving the place shortly after.
This is in line with the statements made by the medical director of the Brazilian MMA Athletic Commission (the entity that regulates fights in the country), Márcio Tannure, who explained to the LANCE!Net website that the supposed fight would not be part of the event. “This fight is not real. It was just a way used by the event promoter to promote the show,” he said.
Furthermore, Falcão had to give up competing in the WGP striking event this month due to a leg injury, which should keep him out of the ring until next year.
Shooto Brasil 45 will be broadcast live on the subscription channel Combate, starting at 20pm (Brasília time).
Comments