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 widespread actuality TV present Massive Brother Brasil in 2023. The American High Workforce 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 stated in an interview with MMA Combating. “It was simply the way in which I wished it to be, a submission towards a tricky opponent. I got here out unhurt and able to put together for the following one. I used to be very blissful, I felt like I lifted a truck off my shoulders. Combating is my universe. [Big Brother] was a really intense expertise, however that is the place I wish to be. That is the place I really feel blissful.”
The Final Fighter Brazil 3 winner is at present No. 5 within the PFL’s gentle heavyweight season standings as each different 205-pounder received a faster end, however the truth that Rob Wilkinson and Josh Silveira are dealing with off Friday implies that a easy draw could be sufficient for Junior to advance.
“I all the time go in there in search of the win, in search of openings to return out victorious,” Junior stated. “A submission, a knockout, that’s nice, particularly in a format like PFL’s once you battle again to again. You win quick and don’t get harm, that’s higher for you, however it’s exhausting to say I’m going there to knock him out within the first spherical. You must create alternatives and benefit 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 anticipate Polizzi to be a simple battle.
“He was the LFA champion and went to Bellator and fought powerful guys and has an excellent folks wrestling type, however I believe it may very well be an excellent match-up for me,” Junior stated. “I consider he’ll come out sturdy 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 yet another time.”
