Antonio Pezão face Fedor Emelianenko at Strikeforce - Photo: Disclosure
On the 12th, Strikeforce will begin one of its greatest achievements: the event's first heavyweight GP. In total there will be eight fighters competing for the tournament title, including Brazilians Fabricio Werdum e Antonio Pezão. And in the quarterfinals, Pezão will face an MMA legend, the Russian Fedor Emelianenko.
The 31-year-old from Paraíba has 15 wins and just two losses on his record, having been undefeated in two Strikeforce fights. Seeking to maintain his good form, Pezão knows the value that a victory over Fedor will add to his career. According to the Brazilian, the fight with the Russian is like a final, which is why he tries not to think about anything other than his next commitment.
“I have to be calm and focused. I respect Fedor in the same way that I respected all the fighters I’ve ever faced, but when the hexagon closes, the respect will be immediately forgotten,” said Pezão.
The Brazilian fighter also highlighted that Fedor still has a lot to present to the public, but that it will not be against him that the Russian will return to the path of victory. In addition to competing for a place in the GP semi-finals, Pezão's debut in the tournament will have a special attraction for the Brazilian. The athlete will try to avenge one of his idols in the sport, the Bahian Rodrigo Minotauro, who was defeated by Fedor on two occasions in the now-defunct PRIDE.
“By beating Fedor, I will dedicate my victory to Minotauro, in addition to my entire family and the American Top Team, including the team president, Dan Lambert, who helped me at different moments in my career”, he concluded.
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