Damn 2 seconds left
#Bellator255 pic.twitter.com/Zk1NBRPwkQ— Pucc0 (@ppucc0)
April 2, 2021
Three weeks after submitting Jonathan
Wilson in his Bellator debut,
Jose Augusto Azevedo Barros agreed to replace Yoel Romero
in the first round of the promotion’s light heavyweight grand
prix.
Once the decision to step in and face Anthony
Johnson at Bellator 258 was finalized, Azevedo found immediate
support from master and teammate Patricio
Freire.
“We see ‘Gugu’ as a better striker than Anthony
Johnson,” said the Bellator two-division champion. “Johnson is
a very experienced and dangerous fighter but is coming from four
years of inactivity. ‘Gugu’ is in a great place, that’s why, even
being aware that it’s a huge challenge to our athlete, we accepted
that fight right away.”
Azevedo, meanwhile, was thrilled to get the opportunity to face an
opponent he has admired.
“Three years ago, I was dreaming of being hired by a great
organization like Bellator,” Azevedo said. “I’m extremely happy to
make such a great debut and then receive the invitation to face
someone I´ve always looked up to shortly thereafter.”
Azevedo doesn’t feel added any pressure heading into his clash with
the former UFC title challenger.
“I’m really calm for this fight,” he said. “He is the one who has
all the responsibility and also the weight of four years of
inactivity. I believe I have more weapons than him and if I follow
our game plan, I’ll surprise many people. To tell you the truth,
I’m feeling that I’m going to have fun and I’ll show all that
happiness on the day of the fight.’
Azevedo is well aware of Johnson’s knockout power, but he believes
his speed will be the key to surprising “Rumble.”
“I’m training a lot of boxing, karate and jiu-jitsu, and the
combination of those three styles, with my speed, will surprise
him,” Azevedo said.
In the event of a victory, Azevedo would move on to face reigning
205-pound champion Vadim
Nemkov in the semifinals. Given a choice beyond that, the
Brazilian has targeted another UFC veteran.
“I just need more time to train, but if I’m able to face anyone in
that grand prix, the worst matchup for my style would be Corey
Anderson,” Azevedo said. “If I could choose, I would face him
in the final.”
Azevedo will share the card with his other coach, Patricky
Freire, who faces Peter
Queally at Bellator 258.
“Patricky is in excellent shape. I don’t see Queally having weapons
to beat him. I´m pretty confident He will win that one,” Azevedo
said.
Patricio
Freire echoed that sentiment, predicting a knockout for his
brother in the first round. On the subject of Azevedo’s fight,
Freire offered a more cautious outlook.
“I believe it´s going to be 50-50. But no matter what happens in
that fight I can guarantee Gugu is the biggest striking talent I´ve
ever seen in the light heavyweight division,” Freire said. “Of
course, he is young in the sport and has a lot to evolve, but take
note. This kid will go far in MMA.”