With $25,000 on the line for the tournament winner in addition to the title of UWF champion, the brackets have drawn some impressive names – mostly longtime veterans of the sport that have shown impressive skill but just need that one opportunity to define themselves in order to prove that they belong on the sport’s highest stage.
UWF promoter Oscar Enriquez recently discussed his intentions for holding this tournament series, the first of its kind native to the Texas MMA Scene. According to him, he drew his inspiration from the gritty 2011 MMA movie by Gavin O’Connor, entitled “Warrior.” Like the premise that film, the South Texas promoter says he has also long desired to put together more than just another MMA event, but a chance for a longtime fighter dedicated to the sport to finally get their shot at the big leagues.
“The main thing I know is that fighters all have a dream to be in the big leagues, but they also have families and a mortgage to pay like you and I do. That’s the type of fighter that deserves a chance,” he says.
With that in mind, this should be an exciting high-stakes event for the participants which means it should be an exciting, action-packed night for the crowd in attendance at the American Bank Center and those watching LIVE on GoFightLive (www.gfl.tv).
Here’s our comprehensive preview of the UWF “Tournament of Warriors” as a precursor to Friday night’s event.
UWF Tournament of Warrriors – Lightweight Preview
Tournament of Warriors – Lightweight Bracket
(updated 5.3.12)
Gilbert Jimenez (5-4-1) vs. Scott Cleve (8-2)
Victor Hernandez (8-13) vs. Chris Quitiquit (4-1)
Rey Trujillo (9-6) vs. Christopher Pecero (4-3)
Carlos Diego Ferreira (2-0) vs. Hector Munoz (10-4)
* not-tourney bout
UWFMMA – Welterweight Tournament
Mitchell Whitesel (19-20) vs. Chuck Parmalee (33-13)
Shamar Bailey (13-6) vs. Lucas Pimenta (14-7)
Justin Gutherie (14-4) vs. Jonathon Knutson (9-4)
Larry Hopkins (3-10) vs. John Malbrough (3-2)
* not-tourney bout
Quick Preview
The inaugural UWF lightweight “Tournament of Warriors” brings forth an interesting mix of contenders with the entire bracket filled with specialists of all sorts. There are wrestlers like Scott Cleve with an NCAA Division II background and submission artists like BJJ black belt Hector Munoz. Then there are knockout artists like Houston’s Rey Trujillo and San Antonio’s Gilbert Jimenez. All in all it’s a recipe for excitement as the common element all these guys have in common is the desire not just to win fights, but finish them before the final bell in the process. Don’t look for too many decisions in the opening round on May 4th.
Quick Statistics (155)
- Most experienced fighter – Flavio Alvaro, over 47 career fights in the US and Brazil.
- Best career KO/TKO percentage – Rey Trujillo, 7 out of 10 wins by KO/TKO.
- Best career submission percentage – Hector Munoz, 7 out of 8 wins by tapout.
- Likely favorites – Flavio Alvaro, Scott Cleve, Hector Munoz
- Biggest underdog – Victor Hernandez
UWF Tournament of Warriors – Lightweight Fighter Profiles
Gilbert Jimenez (5-4-1) – Ask any Texan what they think if they’ve ever seen Gilbert “Pitbull’ Jimenez fight and they’ll say the same thing – this guy is as relentless as his nickname implies. After taking his first amateur fight against UFC top contender Dustin Poirier back in 2009, the San Antonio native has made it his mission to keep on going against top competition no matter what. Since his pro debut, he’s taken on a who’s who of the Texas fight scene, including UFC vet Daniel Pineda and Hector Munoz, another fighter competing in the “Tournament of Warriors” that he hopes to match back up with on the way towards the tournament victory.
Scott Cleve (8-2) – With four wins in his last four fights and at 8-2 overall, Colorado’s Scott Cleve is the type of fighter with a lot at stake in this tournament. A win or three could propel him towards the UFC octagon while a loss could set him back significantly. Needless to say, the former NCAA Division II All-American wrestler from Adams State will be doing his best to make sure that doesn’t happen as he seeks to prove himself as a top-rated prospect at his weight.
Flavio Alvaro (14-5) – Known as “The Legendary,” Flavio Alvaro’s US record may show at 14-5 but the truth is that he’s had a lot more experience than that with 47 fights overall (38-9) counting his scraps in his native Brazil. If you think your everyday MMA fighter is tough already, you may want to consider Alvaro as a notch or more above that. He cut his teeth fighting without gloves in “anything goes” vale tudo fights dating back to his days in Rio. Long story short, this dangerous fighter is the real deal.
Chris Quitiquit (4-1) – With a pedigree that includes training alongside the Diaz brothers, Gilbert Melendez, and others at Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, native Californian Chris Quitiquit had no choice but to get good in a hurry when it comes to developing his MMA career. He won the first four fights of his career before suffering his first loss in September 2010. Taking the better part of the last two years to hone his ever-improving game, the Filipino-Native American is now ready to get back into the mix and earn that big paycheck at the end of this tournament.
Rey Trujillo (10-7) – If you follow along with nationally televised MMA such as HDNet’s Friday Night Fights; you might recognize Rey Trujillo from his thrilling superman punch knockout of Brazilian Munil Adriano this past February on LFC 10. Look even further than that and you’ll see a plethora of exciting knockouts in Tru’s career, including a 28-second finish against Jose Santibanez at Strikeforce while they were in his hometown of Houston. Never one to shy away from a fight, Rey’s a picked a big one with the UWF tournament and it’s one he plans on winning.
Chris Pecero (4-3) – Fighting out of Corpus Christi’s American Revolution fight team, exciting striker Chris Pecero will no doubt be a hometown favorite when he hits the cage at the American Bank Center. Working a full-time job all while making time for his wife and two boys, Chris personifies the blue collar work ethic that characterizes the people of South Texas. With four wins in his first seven fights, Chris is looking to use the Tournament of Warriors as a means to elevate his career to the next level and represent his hometown with pride.
Victor Hernandez (5-14) – A longtime veteran of the MMA game dating way back to the early days back in 2001, West Texas fighter Victor Hernandez has been fighting for as long as he has been legally able, since the age of 18. Throughout that time he’s had his ups and downs, with the highs including his win at Shark Fights 17 and the lows being several losing streaks of three fights or more. Throughout it all he’s persevered, willing to pick himself up and get right back on the horse again. All things considered, he may be the biggest underdog in the 155 lbs. bracket but it’s a role he doesn’t mind as he looks to take the world by surprise.
Hector Munoz (10-3) – As one of the head men at Corpus Christi’s combined FCFA-Paragon fight team, Hector Munoz will surely be bringing in a large contingent to watch him do his thing in the opening round of the Tournament of Warriors. The BJJ black belt only recently came back to the sport of MMA after a four year layoff in between fights. Winning his comeback fight this past March against fellow tourney participant Gilbert Jimenez, “H-Train” will be looking to continue his resurgence with his third straight win overall in the opening round of the tourney in front of his hometown.
UWF Tournament of Warrriors – Welterweight Preview
Tournament of Warriors – Welterweight Bracket
(updated 5.3.12)
Mitchell Whitesel (19-20) vs. Chuck Parmalee (33-13)
Shamar Bailey (13-6) vs. Lucas Pimenta (14-7)
Justin Gutherie (14-4) vs. Jonathon Knutson (9-4)
Larry Hopkins (3-10) vs. John Malbrough (3-2)
* not-tourney bout
Quick Preview
The first season of the UWF welterweight tournament is nothing short of intriguing considering the cast of characters that have been lined up for a chance at the large money grand prize and UWF 170 lbs. title belt. They’ve come far and wide with this one and the opening round offers some interesting matchups such as 30+ fight veterans Chuck Parmelee taking on Mitchell Whitesel and up-and-coming prospects Shamar Bailey and Lucas Pimenta fighting to see which deserves to be noticed on the national scene.
Quick Statistics (170)
- Most experienced fighter – Chuck Parmelee, 49 career fights since 1999 debut.
- Best career KO/TKO percentage – Lucas Pimenta, four out of five wins by KO/TKO.
- Most career submissions – Chuck Parmelee, 12 career submissions.
- Likely favorites – Chuck Parmelee, Lucas Pimenta, Shamar Bailey
- Biggest underdog – Larry Hopkins
UWF Tournament of Warriors – Middleweights Fighter Profiles
Larry Hopkins (3-10) – A 31 year old boxer from the city of Houston, Larry Hopkins may be the biggest underdog competing in season one of “The Tournament of Warriors.” His greatest career claim to fame thus far was losing a boxing match to 52-year old Dewey Bozella on a fight he took on short notice on the undercard of Bernard Hopkins vs. Chad Dawson back in October of 2011. As for his MMA career, well he’s faced some tough luck here as well but refuses to quit, choosing instead to march forward against the toughest opposition he could find. Look for Larry to try and pull off the big-time Cinderella Man story beginning on March 4th.
John Malbrough (2-3) – Also a native Houstonian, John “Maniac” Malbrough is a 3-year veteran of the pro ranks after a year spent competing as an amateur, where he went 3-1. Fighting primarily for Legacy FC in Houston, John won his first two fights as a pro before dropping 3 consecutive bouts to tough competition in Jonathan Harris, Jake Rosholt, and Jeff Rexroad.
Mitchell Whitesel (17-21) – Fighting out of Ashland, Ohio, Mitch Whitesel has fought professionally since 2003 and has faced numerous tough opponents in his time, including UFC vets Pete Sell, Luigi Fioravanti, Charlie Brenneman, Gerald Harris, and many others. Tough competition aside (and he’s faced a ton of it), Mitch has won more than he’s lost in recent years and will be looking to get back on track with a good showing in the UWF tournament.
Chuck Parmelee (37-11-1) – Holding the distinction of being the most experienced fighter in the welterweight bracket, Iowa’s Chuck Parmelee will also be going into this tourney as perhaps the heaviest hitter at 170 as well. Out of 33 (or 37) career wins depending on where you look, most of them have come via KO/TKO and he’s never been gun shy. Prior to this tourney, Parmelee put together a 7-fight win streak before losing his last two to fellow seasoned vets Joey Villasenor and Rob Kimmons. He too will be looking to get back on track with a good showing in South Texas.
Shamar Bailey (13-6) – Fighting professionally since 2006, 29 year old Chicago native Shamar Bailey may be the most recognizable name in the entire tournament. He’s a three-time UFC veteran that was a competitor on season 13 of The Ultimate Fighter as the first pick for Team Junior dos Santos. Also a veteran of Bellator and Strikeforce, Bailey is hoping a successful run in UWF’s first-ever tournament will catapult him back to make yet another run at the top of the sport.
Lucas Pimenta (5-0) – Fighting out of Gold Team based in Newark, NJ, Lucas Pimenta is a one-time Bellator veteran who’s riding a wave of success with five straight wins in the US headed into his UWF debut. Originally raised in the very rough streets of Salvador Bahia, Brazil, the BJJ black belt known as “Baiano” has shown much than an affinity for the ground. In fact, he’s finished all but one of his opponents in the first round via KO/TKO leading up the Tournament of Warriors.
Justin Guthrie (14-4) – A member of the Colorado Fight Factory alongside fellow UWF tourney participant Scott Cleve and Cameron Dollar, Justin has been fighting professionally since 2007. He currently holds a notable win over Bill Abrecht and losses to two Zuffa-experienced fighters in Jesse Forbes and Lumumba Sayers.
Jonathan Knutson (9-4) – Hailing out of Rapid City, South Dakota, Jonathan Knutson is a 5 year veteran of MMA that’s fought primarily on the regional circuit in the northern territories. Most of his wins and all of his losses have come by way of decision or TKO. As of now, his most notable fights have been losses to UFC fighter Pablo Garza and fellow prospect Dakota Cochrane.
Who’s your pick to win in the lightweight and welterweight brackets? Chime in on our TXMMA Facebook Page and let us know your predictions!