By Rhett Butler
MMAPAYOUT.COM
When Grammy award winning recording artist group, Outkast released their double EP, Speakerboxx/The Love Below the latter record attested to eternal love. The entire album consisted of a song cycle about inanimate love’s battle against fear and self-deception that’s frequently profound and at times scary. This tumultuous relationship exists for every MMA fighter but definitely for Brazilian transplant and Atlanta native, Junior Assuncao.
As a native of coastal city, Recife, Brazil, Assuncao first came to the States in 1994 to learn a different culture and the English language. What later ensued was a
flirtation with the martial arts that ballooned into full-blown ardor as time grew.
“I started training Capoeira when I was 13 years old and I got my black belt when I was 19 years old. Then when I was 17 years old I started training jiu- jitsu with master Jacare (Alliance) and here I am now. I love training in all styles of fighting!”
Once Assuncao began training he quickly developed into a well-rounded competitor. Having competed in various art form specific challenges and tournaments, his medal count rose and so did his reputation.
“In Capoeira we did a state championship and I got first place. In jiu-jitsu I competed in the Pan-Am Games, I was the NAGA (North American Grappling Association) Florida and Georgia champ and I earned second place in the no-gi world championships (losing in the finals to Marcelo Garcia) and I also earned a few other titles.”
The decision to made a professional career in mixed martial arts came quickly for Assuncao. Without much trepidation he had an extremely brief amateur career before turning to MMA full-time.
“I did two amateur fights and jumped right to pro. At the time I wanted to challenge and test myself.”
That test started out shaky but soon the pupil within began to impress. After losing a decision to Andrew Chappelle, Assuncao went on an impressive four fight win streak which offered both submission clinics as well as a knockout. What makes this streak more interesting is that all these wins were in the first round. With three submission victories and one first round TKO over UFC Welterweight, Dustin Hazelett, Assuncao was proving to be true to his quest for love.
Capping off his four-fight win streak was entrance into the UFC for Assuncao’s next bout. The yin and the yang of love surfaced here and times became bumpy. A first round submission loss to Kurt Pellegrino at UFC 64: Unstoppable started his journey within the organization. After a second round victory by rear naked choke over Brit David Lee, Assuncao lost in the first round to Nate Diaz by guillotine choke at UFC Fight Night 11. That loss signaled his exit from the organization but since is on a two-fight win streak. Now facing Jadyson Costa at Shine 2: American Top Team vs. The World he looks forward to continuing his rise to the top.
“I’m getting ready to perform at my best! He is good and fast so I have to be ready for a war. The fans can expect a fast-paced fight with a lot of kicks – wait and see! I’m with my training partners and my brothers, that’s all I need! My family is everything to me – my kids, my brothers they all help me a lot. I couldn’t do it without them!”
Known for his diverse training and dedication, Assuncao has built an impressive resume of training partners and teams aligned with.
“I’ve done different camps. In 2007 I went to Black House in Rio de Janeiro and there I got to train with many good fighters, including UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Lyoto Machida, former UFC light heavyweight Champion, Vitor Belfort and many others. I have a gym in Atlanta and there I have solid training also. All Georgia boys help each other a lot, and we have a good group: Roan Carneiro, Roberto Traven, my brother Rafael, Rory Singer, Brian Stann, Brian Bowles, Diego Saraiva and many other newcomers.”
Marching along the path to whatever inevitable destiny is Assuncao, riding the win streak wave and still exploring ‘the love below.’ It’s the gift and the curse of sports where wins and losses both provide ironic truisms. Perhaps this search only served to lead him back home where it all began.
“I’m from Recife, Brazil. It’s on the cost, and it’s a very nice place to live. We moved to the U.S. in 1994 and the idea was for us to learn a different culture and to learn English. I have a hero, our mother. She worked very hard to raise us to be what we are today! She is our number one fan. I LOVE YOU MOM! After fighting I just want to live at the beach in Brazil and just train for fun. I MISS HOME!!!”
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