Report: UFC signs blue chip prospect Gusmao
June 5, 2008 by Sam Caplan
Damon Martin of MMAWeekly.com is reporting that the UFC has signed light heavyweight prospect Andre Gusmao and that Gusmao could debut for the promotion on August 9 at UFC 87 in Minneapolis, MN.
Gusmao’s opponent for the event has yet to be determined, according to Martin.
The UFC had previously attempted to sign Gusmao and it was reported by several news outlets that he would make his UFC debut this past February at UFC 81 against David Heath. However, FiveOuncesOfPain.com broke the news after speaking with IFL officials that the New York-based fight promotion held an exclusive negotiation period in its contract with Gusmao that prevented him from consummating an agreement with another organization.
With that exclusive negotiation period having apparently expired, the Brazilian-born fighter is now an unrestricted free agent and able to sign elsewhere.
Gusmao is undefeated in five pro fights and if reports are accurate, he could join a young nucleus at 205 pounds in the UFC that already includes Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou, and Thiago Silva.
Tito Ortiz’s replacement IMO.
This is a good pickup. I like that the UFC is thinking about the future. They have a great crop of young 155, 170, 185, 205, and HW which will develop for years.