Paulão (Arona, Minotouro, Monson, Rizzo, Eastman...) confirmed in Bitetti Combat

The organization of Bitetti Combat confirms another big name in an event that promises to shake the Maracanãzinho, in Rio de Janeiro, on September 12. Paulo Filho, Paulão, who fighted at Pride and WEC, is guaranteed in the card.

"I congratulate the whole organization for this opportunity. MMA was established here many years ago by the Gracie family, we're the best in the world in this sport and we do not have as much recognition here in our country as we do outside. In the U.S., the UFC is a big and profitable success, and I never knew why this kind of event never happened here. If we have the best athletes, nothing more fair then to have a big event here as well", said the fighter.

On the terrace of the building in Copacabana, Paulão completed the training for his next challenge, on day 20, for Dream, when he will face Melvin Manhoef. However, the black-belt already knows who he will face in the brazilian organization: the American Alex Shonawer, student of the black-belt Sérgio Penha. "I believe the American is from another fighting discipline, he cannot be better than me in Jiu-Jitsu. I gotta know right now what are his qualities, study them, and along with my technical team (Josuel Distak, Amaury Bitetti and master Oswaldo Alves), outline a strategy and make him fight as uncomfortable as possible. Hope I do good for me and don’t let him do good for himself", examined.

Away from the rings since November 2008, when he suffered the first defeat of his career and stopped to address depression related problems, Paulada said of a great desire to fight again in Brazil. The fighter expects the Bitetti Combat to show the strength of MMA for the Brazilians. "I hope MMA is here to stay, to take away the negative impression that some people have and to value those who train to fight with gladiators who also are preparing to fight over a ring with rules and for money," ended. Other fights confirmed for the event are among the champion of Fury FC, Leandro Batata, and Cassiano Tytschyo, and the fight between Miranda Vitor and Fabio Maldonado.

COMPLETE CARD (subject to change):

Bitetti Combat 4
Marcanãzinho, Rio de Janeiro
Saturday, September 12, 2009

- Ricardo Arona will face Marvin Eastman;
- Paulo Filho will face Alex Shonawer;
- Rogério Minotouro faces Stiebling Alex;
- Jeff Monson will faces Pedro Rizzo;
- Glover Teixeira against Leonardo Chocolate;
- Milton Vieira x Luciano Azevedo;
- Chocolate faces Eduardo Henrique Pamplona;
- Alexandre flea vs Yzzy Luciano;
- Vitor Miranda faces Fabio Maldonado;
- Leandro Batata faces Tytschyo Cassiano.

That is a surprisingly decent card.

This is the most stacked Brazilian card I can remember.

very good card..read somewhere it wasnt going to be televised here in the states? you know anything about that ninja?