Babalu vs. Azevedo

      The very end of the month of July marked the inaugural show of Brazil’s newest MMA promotion, as the 31st of that month brought a new show to the country bringing back some well known veterans of our sport to fight in Brazilian soil for the first time in recent years. In days where new shows are popping up all the time, and nearly every month you have an MMA event taking place in Brazil, it was about time that a promotion would add something to that mix, not only adding a solid card, full of fighting veterans, as well as present a good looking production treating the fans to a true spectacle in all senses like they deserve. This is what HEAT FC achieved all ready in its first edition. With a risky proposal made by the promoters, who advertised the event as a breakthrough experience in Brazilian MMA, expectations were high and even the most skeptical spectator had to admit they lived up to the hype, and presented the better looking show the country witnessed in recent years, if not in its history. Counting with big screens above the ring, elevators presenting the fighters at their entrances, lights and sound all over the arena and a crowd of close to 7,000 spectators, the results were as close to amazing as they could have been considering the organization had barely a month to put the show together.
      As any MMA show worldwide couldn’t leave only from good production and presentations, the fighting card was also very interesting, combining some promising newcomers with well known Brazilian veterans and still managing to add some international flavor to the show. Taking place in the city of Natal, up in the northeast of the country, HEAT FC in its first edition gave opportunity to some tough local fighters, since rarely a Northeastern fighter from Brazil is given a chance to compete in a prestigious event. Talents such as Paulo Guerreiro, who is now bound to participate at the AFC, Fabio Bolinho and Silmar Rodrigo took advantage of their opportunities and showed the value of the local fighters. Newcomers Eduardo Simoes, from Ruas Vale Tudo, and Marcelo Azevedo, even in a losing effort, also proved they have a future in the sport and were just needing a chance. Experienced fighters such as Alexandre Barros, Ebenezer Braga and Renato Babalu fought in Brazil for the first time in recent years, and that alone was a achievement itself by the show, while American Forrest Griffin finally had the chance to face a top fighter proving he is indeed a talented fighter and his countryman Ben Rothwell treated the fans to a truly brawl against veteran Carlos Barreto, who finally was able to showcase his newfound Muay Thai skills scoring his first ever KO standing up. All in all the show had numerous attractions, making this and unforgettable experienced for those who attended, and leaving major expectations for HEAT FC 2 in November, as the promoters and promising a even bigger show. However, November is still some months away, and since we’re doing a review here, it’s time to run you trough the action of the fights themselves:

The preliminary bouts brought matches with 3 rounds of 5 minutes each, and a chance for fighters wanting to establish their reputation to show their skills. The show started with local fighter Fabio Bolinho bringing his Jiu-Jitsu skills against Gracie Barra late replacement Savio Maia, who took the fight in a one week notice for the injured Charles Andrade:

Fabio Bolinho vs. Savio Maia: The fight started with Fabio taking it to the ground on the spot, just to suffer numerous attacks from Savio who was displaying an active ground work. At one point Maia locked a Kimura on Bolinho that seemed to be about to end the bout at any minute, but with the crowd on his side Bolinho just refused to tap and battled his way out of the submission attempt. The second and third rounds saw Fabio unleashing his ground and pound game, cutting Savio above his nose and wearing him out, to a point he would only butt-scoot and get punished on the stand up exchanges, giving Bolinho a fair judges’ decision.

Paulo Guerreiro vs. Magnus Decio: Magnus Decio came into the fight also with the support from the local crowd, and high expectation as he just won his division at RN Vale Tudo 2 tournament. However, Guerreiro’s experience and better stand up were too much for him to handle. Trough numerous failed takedown attempts Magnus took plenty of punishment from knee strikes, punches and kicks, as Paulo was way superior on the stand up game. To his credit, Magnus showed the heart of a lion as he endured the severe punishment till the end, refusing to tap out and giving a judges’ decision to Paulo Guerreiro.