Dantas Scores Quick Sub, Sa Takes Title at Shooto Brazil 20

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RIO DE JANEIRO -- Highly-regarded Nova Uniao bantamweight Eduardo “Dudu” Dantas had another impressive showing on Saturday in the main event of Shooto Brazil 20 at Delfim Academy.

Scheduled to defend his Shooto South America 132-pound title in a rematch against Luiz Alberto “Betao” Nogueira, Dantas would instead meet replacement Samuel de Souza in a non-title affair after “Betao” withdrew due to injury.

The fight was a fast one. After a brief striking exchange, Dantas pulled guard on Souza and climbed his arm, applying an indefensible armbar to end the fight in just 20 seconds.

“The fight was good, but I have to thank my opponent for agreeing to fight on short notice,” said Dantas after the win. “I am very pleased.”

Leandro “Batata” Silva had to put in substantially more work in his fight with Edvaldo Jose de Oliveira. Despite punishing his opponent with punches on both the feet and the floor, “Batata” was unable to finish the fight and had to settle for a unanimous decision.

“My opponent was changed twice, but I think I had a good fight,” said Silva.

Reivilis Barcelos dominated much of his fight against Leandro “Sete Bala” Magalhaes, until Magalhaes stormed back for a late win. Scoring with takedowns throughout, Barcelos reached the third round with victory almost guaranteed. There, “Sete Bala” scored a takedown of his own, delivered a series of punches, took the back of Barcelos, and sunk in a fight-ending rear-naked choke at 2:22 of the third.

In the finals of Shooto Brazil’s 115-pound title grand prix, Lincoln de Sa took a unanimous decision over tournament favorite Michael Willian Costa to claim the vacant belt. After falling behind early, Sa dominated the latter two rounds with takedowns and top control, as well as defending against Costa’s dangerous heel hook attempts.

UFC veteran Antonio “Samuray” Mendes halted a five-fight losing skid against Anemilson “Negao” Azeredo. Despite running into trouble when “Negao” came inside for takedowns, “Samuray” beat his man up on the feet, his barrages of punches and knees eventually prompting Azeredo to quit between the second and third rounds.

The opening fight of the night was another quick one, as Jefferson Donato needed only 51 seconds to topple Francisco D’Branco. “Jefinho” unleashed a flurry of blows right off the bat, before taking D’Branco’s back and continuing the punishment until the referee stepped in to declare it a technical knockout.

Andre Pederneiras, president of Shooto South America and head of Nova Uniao, announced that the promotion has big announcements coming in 2011, when he plans to produce six to eight events.