Flyweight Cristiano “Pequeno” Souza had an unforgettable Brave debut when he dismantled Mexico’s Cristian Quinonez. It was a second round TKO in front of his home crowd at Brave 3: Battle in Brazil. As he awaits for another fight, “Pequeno” has been training in the Netherlands with kickboxing legend Andy Souwer, who widely regarded as one of the best fighters ever in the lighter weight divisions.
Souwer is a Dutch welterweight shoot boxer. He is two time K-1 World MAX champion as well as a four time Shootboxing World tournament champion. In other words, an expert when it comes to striking!
As he reached Europe to corner his teammate Ariane Lipski, Cristiano Souza took Souwer up on an offer he made a few years ago. After the Dutch held a seminar at Rasthai Temple, Pequeno’s home gym, he invited some of the fighters to train with him.
“Andy has been great to us. A few years ago we were all learning with him in a seminar at Rasthai and now we’re here training alongside him. This trip has been good for many reasons. It has given me a chance to get to know new cultures and new people. Also its opportunity to train with different fighters, who use different training methods. I feel like I’m growing up a lot as a fighter”, said “Pequeno”, who claims that training with Souwer isn’t just about striking.
“He has been doing MMA for a while now too. We are training wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu at his gym as well. The Dutch are known for their kickboxing, but I’m also learning a lot in other disciplines. I’m just trying to soak everything I’m seeing”, commented the Brazilian, who has a professional record of seven wins and only one defeat. “
Being Brazilian and having won his Brave debut with style, it is a possibility Souza may take part in Brave 7 which could happen this July. No official announcement has been made from the promotion.
Watch his latest fight below at Brave 5 which took place in Curitiba, Brazil.
