Ht/Wt: 5’6/145 lbs.
Age: 33
Hometown: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Fighting out of: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Record: 10-1
The stakes: One of the most sought after free agents from the International Fight League’s long-overdue collapse, Fabiano enters the WEC already regarded as one of the world’s premier featherweights. With longtime king Urijah Faber freshly deposed by Mike Thomas Brown, the upheaval within the division has presented Fabiano with an opportunity to cast himself as the new top dog. Of course, a stumble here and he’s sure to hear all about his days in the IFL being as meaningful as a degree from the University of Phoenix.
The breakdown: A rare breed of grappler who also happens to be physically dominant, Fabiano’s combination of athleticism and technical wizardry still don’t make him impervious to Tamura’s sharp striking. A conservative approach calling for early takedowns and plenty of submission attempts is the key for Fabiano, who’s likely fighting for an opportunity to challenge for the featherweight title down the road.
Tamura Scouting Report
Ht/Wt: 5’9/145 lbs.
Age: 28
Hometown: Hyogo, Japan
Fighting out of: Hyogo, Japan
Record: 12-6-2
The stakes: One of the sport’s more unconventional success stories, Tamura spent the bulk of his career as a mid-card ham-and-egger in Shooto before suddenly finding new form and going on a hot streak that saw him enjoy a shocking, albeit brief, run as Shooto’s 143.5-pound champion. Now he finds himself half a world away from his homeland, faced with a unique opportunity to prove the mettle of Shooto fighters in an organization where they have struggled mightily.
The breakdown: While Tamura has always been able to handle himself on the mat, he lacks the skill to tangle with Fabiano. He would be best served using his lanky frame to keep the Brazilian at bay while mixing in the occasional bit of clinch work whenever Fabiano manages to close the gap. Wearing down Fabiano and avoiding the ground game represents Tamura’s best chance to restore the name of Shooto fighters overseas.
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The bottom line: I love a good underdog story as much as the next guy, but if Tamura couldn’t handle the Hideki Kadowaki’s grappling, it’s hard to imagine how he’ll survive against Fabiano, who represents an entirely different level of grappling skill than Tamura is accustomed to. Watch for a surprisingly one-sided bout, as Fabiano seizes the initiative early with a takedown before advancing position and securing a submission win midway through the first round.