SAO PAULO, Brazil (July 12, 2021) – The first SFT event of 2021, SFT 27, will be held this Thursday night (July 15) in Sao Paulo, Brazil, featuring a pair of SFT title fights, in SFT’s first show since last December.
SFT 27 will be streamed exclusively on FITE in the United States and worldwide on pay per view via the FITE app and website (www.FITE.tv), starting at 6:00 p.m. ET / 3:00 p.m. PT, for only $14.99.
“The wait is over,” SFT president David Hudson proclaimed. “Our main event between rising star ‘Maumito’ (pictured to left) and always dangerous Bispo will determine who the King of Brazilian lightweights is today. We also have another SFT title fight as Cantuaria and Borges battle for the vacant SFT female flyweight crown. The rest of this card is loaded as well with some of Brazil’s up-and-coming fighters
The main event pits SFT’s 2020 Fighter of the Year, Manuel “Maumito” Sousa (6-0-0, SFT: 6-0-0), against veteran Brendo “The Monster” Bispo (17-4-0, SFT: 1-0-0) for the vacant SFT Lightweight Championship.
The 23-year-old Sousa is a tremendous striker whose overall combat sports record includes 23 straight victories in kickboxing, 18 by knockout, and all six of his pro MMA fights have been victories in SFT competition, none going into the third round.
“I’m training well, a lot on the ground, because I know he has a Jiu-Jitsu black belt,” Sousa reported. “But since I’m training hard, I’m not worried about that. MMA brings together all areas, so you need to be ready. In training, we put ourselves in danger, as if we were in the fight, and that increases my confidence, and it keeps the gas in check. At 27 years old, Brendo Bispo has more experience in professional MMA than me with 17 wins and four losses. ‘Maranhão’ sees the point as positive, however, he knows that it is not a guarantee of victory. Therefore, he benefits from his work carried out at Chute Boxe Diego Lima, one of the main teams in the country.”
Currently on a 6-fight win streak, Bispo accepted the challenge of fighting hot prospect Sousa after a few other fighters passed on the opportunity. Acclaimed as one of the top lightweights in Brazil, Bispo now has the chance to prove he’s No. 1 versus Sousa. Bispo trains at the famed Chute Boxeo, under the direction of the famed Charles Oliveira. A solid all-around fighter, the more experienced Bispo has seven victories by knockout, along with five more by submission.
“As often as I’ve fought,” Bispo said, “I always think like it’s the first time. So, I don’t generate as many expectations and my mind goes blank, something that helps me a lot in my daily life and in the fight. On the other hand, I’ve learned a lot by climbing in the cage to fight 22 times, so that helps. The main one, however, is the training at Chute Boxe Diego Lima. Now, in the final stretch of the fight, we are going more slowly, working on our strategy, rest, and weight loss. Diego Lima is my teacher, friend, and manager (laughs), so he’s been with me. Unfortunately, he won’t be able to be in my corner, but he spent the necessary time. You can expect a renewed Brendo; more technical, faster, and stronger.
In the co-featured event, Mayra Cantuaria (8-3-1, SFT: 2-0-0) faces Paty Borges (4-4-0, SFT: 2-2-0) for the vacant SFT Female Flyweight Championship. Cantuaria, who has fought the in the traditional Japanese event, Pacrase, while Borges has won her last two fights heading into her showdown with Cantuaria.
Another sensational match-up is Bruno “Beirutel” Tavares (13-5-1, SFT: 1-0-0) against featherweight Thiago “Manchinha” Silva (19-9-0 (SFT: 0-1-0). Other exciting MMA fights include welterweight Luis “Hulk” Fernando (18-6-0) vs. Alex “Canguru” Sandro (10-3-0), featherweight Marcos “Maraja” Rodriguez (16-5-0, SFT: 1-0-0) vs. Estabill Amato (10-4-0, SFT: 1-2-0), bantamweight Deja Moura (5-2-0, SFT: 1-0-0) vs. Manoel Lima “Aranja” Silva (5-4-0, SFT: 1-1-0), flyweight Marciano Ferreira (5-1-0, SFT: 1-0-0) vs. Antonio “Piaui” Rodrigues (9-2-0, SFT: 0-1-0), undefeated bantamweight Fernando “Fernandinho” Henrique (3-0-0, SFT: 1-0-0) vs. Apollo “Deus Da Guerra” Gomes (5-0-0) and pro debuting Luana Santos vs. bantamweight Majorie “Brutal” Barragan (1-0-0).
Two SFT Xtreme and two Jiu-Jitsu fights are also on tap.
The two SFT Xtreme fights will be held as welterweight Cicero Evangelista (SFT Xtreme: 1-0-0) meets Kavem “Mexicano” Felipe, and bantamweight Nicholas Pestilli takes on Ramon “Sayajin” Costa. The wildly popular, uniquely entertaining SFT Xtreme competition allows striking, kicking and knees, fighters wear 4-ounce gloves, and clinching and fighting on the mat is prohibited.
A pair of Jiu-Jitsu matches will showcase William Cilli vs. Elaias “Xuxu” Silverio, and Henrique “Rasputin” Gomes vs. Felipe “Felipinho” Cusciana.