André Benkei: “Pezão gave a lesson in modern MMA”

Antonio Pezão made history in Strikeforce when he defeated, in the early hours of last Sunday, the legend Fedor Emelianenko. Confident in the fight, the Brazilian exuded technique, versatility and physical preparation during the two rounds of the fight. One of those responsible for this presentation, André Benkei, Pezão's coach, told the SUPER FIGHTS what the training was like to defeat the greatest heavyweight of all time.

“It was not a chance victory, a lucky break or a submission, but a set of actions that were very well trained by an athlete who is very difficult to beat. Pezão gave a lesson in modern MMA”, said Benkei, who revealed the Brazilian's strategy to win the fight.

“We studied Fedor a lot, all his actions and even what was supersized about him. He is a great champion and we are very honored to have beaten him, but Pezão was prepared for everything that came his way”, said the coach, who commented on the Brazilian's dominance in the second round, which resulted in the technical knockout due to medical interruption.

“’After Pezão controlled the actions in the first round, he already knew that Fedor was coming to shorten the distance and explode in the second round. As the short-range game was Fedor's advantage, Pezão got into the legs and took down, almost automatically, as he was trained. On the ground he worked on top, threw blows, put his knee on his stomach and mounted him, and from there he continued beating him all the time,” said André. The “Wizard”, as he is known, made a point of supporting the doctor's decision that prevented Fedor from returning for the third round, due to the large bruise on his right eye, caused by the Brazilian's blows.

“If it had been another fighter, the referee would have stopped the fight earlier. In fact, I went to (Dan) Mirgliotta (fight referee) and said that he could have killed Fedor. The doctor did it exactly right,” he concluded.

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