Strikeforce Signs Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza
The San Jose, CA based Strikeforce MMA promotion recently announced that they have signed Brazilian middleweight Ronaldo Jacare Souza to a multifight contract. He is expected to make his Strikeforce debut on the same October event as recently signed Fedor Emelianenko, which will be broadcast on the Showtime premium cable network.
In a statement released by the promotion, Souza expressed his pleasure at the signing:
I am very excited that I will have the opportunity to fight in STRIKEFORCE amongst many of the worlds best middleweight fighters. STRIKEFORCE has an extremely deep roster of top middleweight fighters. I am looking forward to the challenge and to taking my career to the next level.
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Souza got the nickname ‘Jacare’ as a child in his hometown of Manaus, Brazil”its Portuguese for a species of alligator that is common to the area. He clearly likes the moniker, and is known for making ring entrances while making alligator jaws with his arms.
Hes also considered one of the best Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioners in the sport. He was a runner up in the 2008 DREAM Middleweight Grand Prix Tournament, losing in the finals to Gegard Mousasi. Jacare was in control of the fight until he got caught by a Mousasi upkick that knocked him unconscious. His only other loss in MMA competition came in his professional debut in 2003. In his last fight, he faced American Jason Mayhem Miller in a rematch of their DREAM tournament bout. This fight ended in a no contest after Mayhem was cut by an inadvertent illegal blow. Hes tentatively slated to face Miller again at DREAM 11 in October, though that hasnt been addressed either by Strikeforce or DREAM parents FEG. With the two promotions recently agreeing to a working relationship that includes a talent exchange, theres a possibility the matchup could be contested on the October Strikeforce event.
Souza began training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at the age of 17 and fought MMA legend Randy The Natural Couture to a draw in a grappling contest in 2006. Shortly thereafter he began training at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas. He has since returned to training in his homeland but will reportedly begin training with Couture again in the near future.
MMA fans are already anticipating several excellent potential matchups for Jacare in Strikeforce, including an almost inevitable showdown with another of the worlds top middleweights, Jake Shields. Also of great interest would be a catchweight matchup between Souza and Shields Cesar Gracie Jiu Jitsu teammate, Nick Diaz.
Ross Everett is a widely published freelance sports writer and highly respected authority on sports betting odds comparison. He writing has appeared on a variety of sports sites including sportsbooks and sportsbook directory sites. He lives in Southern Nevada with three Jack Russell Terriers and a kangaroo. He is currently working on an autobiography of former interior secretary James Watt.
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