A victory at PFL Salt Lake Metropolis means Antonio Carlos Junior will advance to the sunshine heavyweight playoffs. The 2021 season winner admits that kicking off the 12 months with an announcement win was an enormous reduction.
“Cara de Sapato” returned to the cage this previous April after a close to two-year layoff from a knee harm and his involvement within the well-liked actuality TV present Massive Brother Brasil in 2023. The American Prime Staff athlete stopped Simon Biyong with a rear-naked choke within the opening spherical this previous April and now faces Bellator veteran Alex Polizzi this Friday.
“I used to be very pleased with my efficiency,” Junior mentioned in an interview with MMA Preventing. “It was simply the way in which I needed it to be, a submission towards a troublesome opponent. I got here out unhurt and able to put together for the following one. I used to be very glad, I felt like I lifted a truck off my shoulders. Preventing is my universe. [Big Brother] was a really intense expertise, however that is the place I prefer to be. That is the place I really feel glad.”
The Final Fighter Brazil 3 winner is at present No. 5 within the PFL’s mild heavyweight season standings as each different 205-pounder obtained a faster end, however the truth that Rob Wilkinson and Josh Silveira are dealing with off Friday signifies that a easy draw could be sufficient for Junior to advance.
“I at all times go in there searching for the win, searching for openings to come back out victorious,” Junior mentioned. “A submission, a knockout, that’s nice, particularly in a format like PFL’s once you combat again to again. You win quick and don’t get harm, that’s higher for you, nevertheless it’s exhausting to say I’m going there to knock him out within the first spherical. You must create alternatives and profit from them. That’s what occurred final time, and that’s what could occur once more.”
Polizzi joined PFL after a 4-3 run in Bellator that included a win over former middleweight champion Rafael Carvalho, however now has his again towards the wall following consecutive defeats to Yoel Romero, Karl Moore and Impa Kasanganay. Junior is the odds-on favourite to advance to the semifinals, however doesn’t count on Polizzi to be a simple combat.
“He was the LFA champion and went to Bellator and fought robust guys and has an excellent people wrestling type, however I believe it could possibly be an excellent match-up for me,” Junior mentioned. “I imagine he’ll come out robust for the first-round end since he wants that to advance to the playoffs. I’ll be alert early and never let him impose his sport. We’ll be able to counter each assault he tries and are available out victorious another time.”
