Despite more than a year away from action, it took Wilson Gouveia nothing more than a quick instant to agree to face his upcoming opponent at MFC 32: Bitter Rivals.
With a wholly healed body and a fighting spirit back intact, Gouveia eagerly accepted the challenge of taking on heavy-handed Dwayne “D-Bomb” Lewis. There wasn’t a moment’s hesitation, not a pause to ponder things over, and absolutely not one bit of doubt in his response.
“I’m a real fighter and I don’t handpick my opponents so of course I accepted it quickly,” said Gouveia.
“Fighting is my job and I really wanted to come back as soon as I felt I could come back at 100%.”
Gouveia was in the moment the offer was extended, and the Maximum Fighting Championship had its co-main event for MFC 32, tagging alongside the lightweight title matchup between Antonio McKee and Brian Cobb to highlight the HDNet Fights event that emanates from the Mayfield Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, on Friday, January 27 at 10 p.m. ET/8 p.m. MT/7 p.m. PT (check local listings for channel designation).
Following his lone appearance under the MFC banner – a one-sided decision loss to current light-heavyweight champion Ryan Jimmo at MFC 25 in May 2010 – Gouveia opted to take a much-needed break and focus on healing himself physically. A lingering back injury was ultimately deemed to need full treatment and the Brazilian who calls Fort Lauderdale, Florida, home underwent intensive therapy.
Physically ready to go again, Gouveia just need something to push him mentally. An opportunity to derail Lewis’s own comeback bid was just the incentive required.
“Nothing has changed in my style but this time I have found a re-motivation to come in and give 100%,” said Gouveia. “I am recovered 100%. I see holes in his game and I’m going to use those during the night of the fight to win.”
Gouveia’s career certainly needs a significant boost, though his resume boasts past successes against big names including Jason MacDonald, Jason Lambert, Carmelo Marrero, Seth Petruzelli, and Jon Fitch. A well-rounded tactician, Gouveia holds four career wins by knockout and seven via submission.
Some may expect Gouveia to meet Lewis head-on in a fistic showdown at center-ring, but Gouveia believes he’ll gain an edge with a more slick approach in the MFC’s first-ever five-round, non-title fight.
“I’m going to take him down and I’m going to submit him,” predicted the 33-year-old jiu-jitsu black belt. “I’m training for five rounds but I’m expecting to end it sooner.
“Now that I’m healthy and motivated I know that I can be the MFC champion.”
Tickets for MFC 32: Bitter Rivals are going fast and available only through the MFC Ticket Hotline at (780) 504-2024.