A bantamweight
world title fight headlines PFL Chicago: Tune in LIVE, Saturday,
April 11 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
Aureo
Cruz believes he was built for the main stage.
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The 29-year-old Angolan lightweight will make his
Professional Fighters League debut when he faces Abdoul
Razac Sankara as part of the
2026 PFL Africa 1 undercard on Friday at SunBet Arena in
Pretoria, South Africa. Cruz took something of a roundabout route
to mixed martial arts.
“I was influenced by various schoolmates who already practiced a
variety of martial arts,” he told Sherdog.com. “It piqued my
interest. I started in karate at 11 years old. That didn’t last too
long. By age 17, I started training for self-defense. My
self-defense teacher was also my Brazilian jiu-jitsu coach. I
started competing in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and became the national
vice champion.”
One of Cruz’s coaches, Shido
Boris Esperanca, introduced him to full-contact fighting.
“I started training MMA with him: wrestling, boxing and
kickboxing,” he said. “That’s how I came to the MMA world. While
learning MMA, I participated in a few kickboxing events in Namibia,
and I became a wrestling vice champion. After participating in
amateur MMA on the Angola circuit, I made the decision to go pro in
2022.”
Off and running
So far, all has gone according to plan for Cruz, as he has compiled
a perfect 3-0 record. He last saw action under the Benin Fighting
Championship banner on Nov. 29, when he put away Zikpli
Adam Anoumou with a second-round keylock. Cruz now brings his
talents to the PFL. Sankara, who happens to be one of Anoumou’s
stablemates, serves as his first assignment.
“I’ve had a chance to watch some of Sankara’s fights,” Cruz said.
“We were able to gather enough information. We studied him to
ascertain his fight style. He’s a natural striker. Strategically,
we are very ready. I expect ours to be a long fight, but I’ll be
victorious in this challenge, as I have all the weapons to nullify
Sankara.”
Cruz splits his training between the New Generation MMA and
Malicious Team camps. “My preparation went well,” he said. Cruz
maintains a clear focus on his career ambitions.
“After this next fight, which I will win, my plan is to remain
active and be part of the PFL tournament,” he said. “I wish to gain
visibility in the sport and represent my country at the highest
level. I wish to be one of the key fighters in Angola, going into
world-level promotions and inspiring other fighters in the future.”