I generally don't post MMA fights on the blog but felt like there should be exceptions particularly when it involves someone that has had a massive impact on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. If you don't know Andre Pederneiras (also known as "Dede") then you probably know some of the high level grapplers or MMA fighters he has had a hand in training.
Notable black belts and MMA fighters:
1. Robson Moura
2. BJ Penn
3. Renan Barao
4. Jose Aldo
5. Gustavo Dantas
6. Vitor Ribeiro
7. John Lewis
8. Marcus Aurelio
9. Renato Verissimo
10. Thales Leites
Andre Pederneiras was originally award his black belt by Carlson Gracie when he was 22 years old. After starting his own gym he became frustrated with his teams inability to be competitive for team points at tournaments. His team was almost always outnumbered by the likes of Gracie Barra and Carlson Gracie Team. Andre befriended Wendell Alexander, another black belt, in a similar situation. Together they formed Nova Uniao which means "new union." Andre began to focus on MMA and compiled a professional record of 1 win, 1 loss, & 2 draws. Eventually Andre turned his focus towards training MMA fighters leaving Wendell Alexander in charge of the Jiu-Jitsu side of Nova Uniao.
Here is a great fight between Andre Pederneiras and Rumina Sato at Vale Tudo Japan 1998 which was Andre's professional debut in MMA. Very good fight with a spectacular ending.
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