MMAfighting.com
Shooto Brazil held a one-night lightweight tournament Sunday night in Rio de Janeiro to determine which Brazilian 155-pounder would earn a spot in Professional Fighters League’s 2020 season, and Mariana Morais secured the deal with a bang.
Morais, a teammate of former UFC champion Jessica Andrade at Parana Vale Tudo, edged out Contender Series alum and Shooto Brazil bantamweight champion Dayana Silva via split decision in the semifinal, setting up a final with Bianca Daimoni, who got past Yana Gadelha on the other side of the bracket.
Daimoni was making her return to the Brazilian circuit after losing a decision to Pannie Kianzad in her Invicta FC debut last May, and got knocked out by Morais in just 79 seconds.
Watch the finishing sequence below.
What a knockout by Mariana Morais! Contract secured.
Welcome to PFL, @mammamorais! #PFLBrazil21311:02 AM – Mar 2, 2020Twitter Ads info and privacy46 people are talking about this
The 23-year-old Brazilian, who fought twice under the Invicta FC banner in the past — against current champion Vanessa Porto and UFC star Roxanne Modafferi — and once challenged Ariane Lipski for the KSW flyweight championship, will stay at 155 pounds for PFL’s million-dollar run.
Morais is on a three-fight winning streak, boosting her MMA record to her 16-10. All but two of her defeats came against athletes that are now signed by the UFC.
In the main event of Shooto Brazil’s card, Morais’ PRVT teammate Mairon Santos (10-0) stopped Ronio Junior with 33 seconds left in the third round to claim the vacant featherweight championship.
Mairon Santos (10-0) KO’s Ronio Junior in the #ShootoBrasil main event. Upward elbow + body shots.13611:30 AM – Mar 2, 2020Twitter Ads info and privacy51 people are talking about this
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