March 24, 2007, was a landmark day in the career of Dudu Dantas. On that date, still 17 years old, the athlete had his first professional MMA fight, at Shooto Brasil 2, against William Parrudinho, and won by unanimous decision from the judges. After exactly seven years of that challenge, the memory is still very much alive in the memory of the current Bellator bantamweight champion.
Despite his young age, Dudu was already training hard at Nova União, eager for the long-awaited opportunity to showcase his talent in the sport. And with the approval of Dedé Pederneiras, team leader, he didn't think twice about taking the first chance he was given.
“I was already training hard, despite being the youngest at that time. I went to the first edition of Shooto Brasil and Dedé asked me if I wanted to fight in the second. At the time I said yes, I was dying for this to happen soon. I had about three months to prepare to debut,” he recalls.
Invitation accepted, it was time for the carioca to tell his mother that he would invest all his dedication in professional MMA. “My mother was neither against nor in favor. I just remember her saying that, if it was what I really wanted, may God protect me. But I know she didn't like the idea very much (laughs). Today she already accepts it.”
Another notable event for the athlete when it comes to his MMA debut was his meeting with Dedé Pederneiras a few minutes before entering the ring. “As I was walking up the stairs, he looked at me and said, 'Isn't that what you wanted? The time has come, go there'. There I realized that everything I wanted from sport would depend solely on me. It was unforgettable, that quote from Dedé never leaves my head.”
The venue for the fight was the Upper gym, in Rio, the same location where Nova União trains to this day. On the same day as Dudu's debut, team names such as Will Ribeiro, Hacran Dias and Marlon Sandro took action on the card. For three rounds, the young man fought a “war” against Parrudinho, a black belt in wrestling who was fighting in his second fight in his career.
“It was 15 minutes of a lot of action, mind-blowing back and forth. I was skinny and William was stronger, very well trained by Miltinho Vieira. It was a great fight, with a lot of determination on both sides. I thank William for the battle he gave me. My story in MMA started the way I wanted, against a tough guy, in a very intense fight and with victory”, he celebrates.
Bellator's third title defense in May
He barely surpassed Anthony Leone, on the 7th, Dudu Dantas has already received a new challenge from the Bellator organization. On May 2nd, in New Jersey, United States, the only Brazilian who holds the belt at the event will face Joe Warren, in what will be his third title defense. The short time between duels doesn't bother him. “I'm back to training, I really want to fight again. I went through exams and, together with my team, I saw that I can take another fight even with so little time between the last one.”
Against Warren, the champion will fight his 20th career, and the opponent is like a “gift” to complete the milestone. “He's a very tough guy, it's a fight I've wanted for a long time, so I can't wait to get back in that cage and face him. It will be an incredible fight, you can take notes.”
Comments