Press Release – November 29, 2011 – Brazilian jiu jitsu ace Jonatas Novaes has fought all over the world. But on Friday night, live on HDnet Novaes will find himself at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, FL in the main event of XFC ‘Tribute’ across the cage from the heavy handed Eric Reynolds. Both men will enter the cage on a four fight win streak. One man will make five in a row and the other will go back to the drawing board.
“I am expecting to get my fifth straight Friday night,” said Novaes. “Eric is a great fighter and he’s an excellent striker. But I believe in my training and I am confident I will get the victory. I don’t underestimate him at all because I know he has very good hands and is very dangerous, but I feel I have the skills to stand with him. If it goes to the ground I am confident I can finish the fight.”
Out of 9 professional wins, 7 have come by submission and each of those submissions have come in the first round. In May, the FLO MMA product picked up his biggest win to date when he scored another first round submission over UFC veteran Ryan Thomas.
“I am always looking for the finish,” boasted Novaes. “I train really hard and I don’t want to leave a fight up to the judges. I have trained jiu-jitsu my entire life. I also feel very good about my stand up. Where ever the fight goes I feel confident I will do very well.”
“Jonatas is a blue chipper,” said Prisco. “This kid is sick on the ground. He has finished his last four fights by submission. Three of those were by an arm bar. If this fight goes to the ground Jonatas could take Eric’s arm home with him. But on the otherhand, Eric has shown that he can knock anyone out. If this fight doesn’t go to the ground, Jonatas might be looking up at the lights with the ref trying to wake him. Either way I think it’s going to be a great fight and I seriously doubt it goes all three rounds.”
In addition to Reynolds vs. Novaes, XFC ‘Tribute’ will feature Nick Newell fighting on behalf of his late friend Abi Mestre against Denis Hernandez. Former Ultimate Fighter stars Charlie Rader and Corey Hill will also square off on the card.
XFC ‘Tribute’ is sponsored by Overthrow Gear and Sheets Energy Strips and will take place at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, FL, Dec. 2nd and will air live on HDNet. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster. VIP tables are also available through XFC Corporate. Please call 813-625-1672 for more information. To learn more about the XFC, please visit www.officialxfc.com, like them on Facebook and follow the promotion on Twitter.