The former UFC middleweight fighter Wilson Gouveia (12-7) was released by the UFC immediately after his loss to Alan Belcher at UFC 107. Lucky for him, Gouveia was able to sign a multi-fight deal with the Canadian fight promotion Maximum Fighting Championships (MFC). The Brazilian fighter has decided to move from 185 to 205, signing a deal to fight Canadian light heavyweight superstar “Big Deal” Ryan Jimmo (12-1) at MFC 25 ‘Vindication’ at the Winspear Centre/Enmax Hall in Edmonton , Alberta on April 9th. Jimmo has won 12 consecutive bouts since 2007 meanwhile Gouveia is struggling to bounce back on a winning streak after back to back losses in the UFC.
The event will broadcast live on HDNet and feature a soon to be announced major title fight.
Wilson Gouveia comments on his recent contract with MFC and his move to the 205-pound division:
“I’m excited! I have friends that fight for MFC and they all tell me good things…[Regarding his move to light heavyweight] It was too much sacrifice and too hard, man…I’m a professional. I do this for a living and I love it, but I don’t like to miss weight, you know? And, I would pass out in the sauna and guys would drag me out and say, ‘You have to stop this.’ It was just too much sacrifice and too hard on my body…I hope the fans will see that I’m a better, more exciting fighter at 205 pounds…[Regarding his opponent Ryan Jimmo] I don’t know much about him. I know he’s a big, muscle guy and he’s a good guy. His record shows that. But, I train with some big guys: Luiz Cane, Thiago Silva, ‘Big Foot’ Antonio Silva. These are strong guys…I haven’t fought a karate guy since Seth Petruzelli. He liked to show a karate stance too.”
Ryan Jimmo comments on his MFC 25 bout against Gouveia:
“My karate training has taught me not so much the fighting techniques but great discipline, focus and work ethic…It’s taught me to understand a system of fighting and understand how to learn it in a more efficient manner. The athleticism and physicality are great attributes. I found my kicks are a step above most MMA practitioners as well as my footwork. There are two sides to most karate systems, traditional and sport and both have attributes that warrant praise. My time in karate has been invaluable in my life and I wouldn’t be the person I am today without it.”
