ProMMA.info (www.promma.info) was notified today that ten-time UFC veteran Wilson Gouveia (12-7) signed a multi-fight deal with Maximum Fighting Championship on Monday. His first fight for the organization will take place against Canadian Ryan “Big Deal” Jimmo (12-1) at “MFC 25: Vindication” at the Winspear Centre in Edmonton, Alberta on April 9.
MFC 25 will broadcast live on HDNet and feature a soon to be announced major title fight.
Gouveia decided to return to light heavyweight after trouble making the 185 lbs. weight limit, and suffering back-to-back knockout losses, to Nate Marquardt at UFC 95, and then Alan Belcher at UFC 107.
“It was too much sacrifice and too hard, man,” said Gouveia. “I’m a professional. I do this for a living and I love it, but I don’t like to miss weight, you know? And, I would pass out in the sauna and guys would drag me out and say, ‘You have to stop this.’ It was just too much sacrifice and too hard on my body.”
Gouveia had good success at light heavyweight in the past. At UFC 62 he submitted Wes Combs, at “UFC Fight Night 9” he submitted Seth Petruzelli, at UFC 71 he submitted Carmello Marrero, and at UFC 80 he knocked out Jason Lambert – four back-to-back fights – four finishes – all at 205 lbs. That is the place the American Top Team-trained fighter wants to get back to.
“I hope the fans will see that I’m a better, more exciting fighter at 205 pounds,” said Gouveia.
Gouviea has one problem. And his name is Ryan Jimmo. Jimmo is on a 12-fight win streak and has not lost since his pro debut back in April 2007 at MFC 11. Most recently, Jimmo defeated Emanuel Newton via unanimous decision at MFC 23 back in December.
By: Jack Bratcher