» Fighter: Junior Assuncao

Junior Assuncao (9-4) won a three-round split decision over late replacement and underweight Pete Grimes (6-5) of Matt Hughes’s (41-7) H.I.T. Squad at Shine Fights in Miami Friday night.

“The guy had a good performance definitely,” admitted Assuncao after the fight.

Grimes came out aggressive throwing wide hooks that zipped in front of Assuncao, but also a powerful right body kick that crashed into Assuncao’s ribs twice. Grimes threw a spinning backfist that Assuncao shot beneath for a takedown. On the mat, Assuncao landed elbows to Grimes’s head while passing Grimes’s guard.

Read More About Junior Assuncao Earns SD Over Late Replacement Pete Grimes at Shine Fights…

Fighters.com will post live results from Shine Fights’ American Top Team VS The World Friday night at 8:00 PM.

The fight card:

“Jucao” Roan Carneiro (12-8) v “Macaco” Jorge Patino (22-11-1)
“Buscape” Luiz Firmino (12-4) v “Irish Assassin” Ryan Healy (10-5-1)
“Sobrevivente” Flavio Alvaro (24-6) v “White Bear” Jean Silva (16-8-3)
Yves Edwards (34-15-1 v James Warfield (12-4)
Junior Assuncao (8-4) v “Gladiator” Gideon Ray (15-10-1)
Micah Miller (11-3) v Anthony Morrison (7-6)
“Whisper” Herbert Goodman (5-4) v James Brasco (5-1)
Phil Friedman (1-1) v Brian Fuery (0-0)
Danny Chavez (2-1) v “Tagarela” Jonatas Gurgel (3-0)

Shine Fight Promotions has inked a deal with The Fight Network to broadcast American Top Team vs. The World, the promotion’s second show headlined by “Jucao” Roan Carneiro (12-8) versus “Macaco” Jorge Patino (17-10-1).

American Top Team vs. The World will be held in Miami 4 September, but broadcast on The Fight Network 12 September.

ATT’s Carneiro enters Shine off of a 2-3 stint in the UFC ending with split decision loss to “Piranha” Ryo Chonan (15-10) at UFC 88 in Atlanta last September.

Patino won a UD over “Blackjack” Beau Baker (7-2) at KAPMMA in Newark last February.

The card also features UFC vet Junior Assuncao (8-4), WEC vets Carlo Prater (24-7-1), “Maverick” Micah Miller (12-3) and “Irish Assassin” Ryan Healy (4-4-1), and PRIDE and DREAM vet “Buscape” Luis Firmino (12-4).

Fighters.com attended Wild Bill’s Fight Night 16 in Atlanta 8 November where UFC vets Junior Assuncao (7-3) and Cale Yarbrough (1-1) anchored the event with impressive wins. Fighters.com caught up to Junior, Cale as well as UFC veteran and HardCore Gym owner Rory Singer (12-8) for some post-fight conversation. 

 Junior Assuncao:

Cale Yarbrough:

Rory Singer:

UFC Veteran Junior Assuncao (7-3) won a unanimous decision in a battle with a willing and worthy Kalvin Hackney (3-1) at Wild Bill’s Fight Night 16 in Atlanta Saturday night.  Assuncao utilized his entire arsenal to wrestle, grapple and pound out Hackney in a clear win on all cards.  Judges saw the fight 27-30 across the board. 

Ultimate Fighter, Cale Yarbrough (1-1), displayed an impressive and vastly improved ground game along with heavy hands to defeat a strong Anthony McKee (1-1) via TKO stoppage. 

Local favorite Jeff Boudreaux (3-1) eventually tapped to Kentucky’s Joe Heink (4-0) in a back-and-forth war of attrition. 

Jeff Bedard (10-2), Dave Vitkay (7-8), Dustin Chovanic (2-0) and Clint Hester (1-0) all walked away with victories as well. 

Assuncao Pleases The Masses With A Well-Rounded Exhibition of MMA

Kalvin Hackney (3-1) entered the venue with an entourage of rappers repeating the phrase; “I wanna be a dog, I wanna be a beast.”  Hackney proved to be a tenacious opponent; but, Assuncao’s experience took the spotlight. 

Read More About Wild Bill’s Fight Night 16: UFC Vets Assuncao and Yarbrough Dominate…

Fighters.com had the opportunity to speak with UFC veteran Junior Assuncao (6-3) days before his fight at Wild Bill’s Fight Night 16 in Atlanta 8 November. 

Fighters.com: Junior, Saturday’s Fight Night at Wild Bill’s is being billed as one of the most stacked cards in the history of the venue.  What’s your thoughts on the approaching event?

Junior Assuncao: Good, well actually I have good and bad memories about fighting at Wild Bill’s.  I’ve had some of my best happen there.  I’ve had some wars there.  Hopefully I’ll be able to repeat that on Saturday.

Fighters.com: Your opponent, Kalvin Hackney (3-0), has a good fight record but not nearly as much  experience as you.  What’s your thoughts on Hackney as an opponent?

Junior Assuncao: He has definitely proven to be a legit opponent.  He has fought in a couple of main events here in Atlanta.  Not being a local, he came out and fought hard.  His record shows, I mean, he’s undefeated.  I am sure he’s going to bring his A-game.

Fighters.com: Recently in the press, Hackney proclaimed that he will remain undefeated by beating you and disappointing the hometown crowd.  What do you say to this?

Read More About Assuncao: I hope to get back to the UFC as soon as possible….

Former UFC fighters Junior Assuncao (6-4) and Cale Yarbrough (0-1) as well as former WEC fighter “Little Popeye” Jeff Bedard (9-2) will fight at Wild Bill’s Fight Night in Atlanta 8 November.

Assuncao went 1-2 in the Octagon and is matched versus undefeated Kalvin Hackney (2-0).

After a stint on TUF 7, Yarbrough made his professional debut in the Octagon at UFC Fight Night 14 in Las Vegas 19 July, losing to Tim Credeur (10-2).

Bedard has lost two straight, his final fight in the WEC versus Bantamweight Champion Miguel Torres (34-1) and his most recent fight versus Jarrod Card (7-3-1).

No opponent has been announced for Yarbrough and Bedard.

“This is the most competitive card, top to bottom, that I’ve ever seen in Georgia,” said matchmaker David Oblas. “There’s several huge names on this card and they’re all fighting difficult fights. The fight fans in attendance will be getting one of the best shows that I’ve ever witnessed in my years in this business.”