Former Cracolândia resident debuts in MMA and wins by submission
Goiás native Ulisses Silva, 35, made his professional MMA debut and submitted Felipe Alves in 41 seconds with a flying armlock; he spent three years on the streets of Cracolândia and has trained for six years, combining the sport with factory work.
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Entre duas disputas de título e o R$ 1 milhão do Fight do Milhão, uma história quase passou batida. Na estreia como profissional de MMA, o goiano Ulisses Silva, 35, finalizou Felipe Alves em 41 segundos com um armlock voador.
A explicação para começar tão tarde: ele foi dependente químico e passou três anos nas ruas da Cracolândia, em São Paulo. Voltou à mesma cidade para vencer no cage.
"Pra mim é um momento de muita alegria estar aqui, até muito emocionado. Desde criança sonho com isso, mas as drogas nunca deixaram. Saí das ruas graças ao esporte", disse, após o duelo dos médios (84kg).
Houve troca de golpes no início. Ulisses cinturou e levou o rival ao chão; Felipe raspou, levantou, mas foi pego por um ataque no braço. O armlock voador encaixou e o adversário bateu aos 41 segundos.
Natural de Ipameri-GO, ele também viveu nas ruas em Minas e no Distrito Federal. Treina há seis anos, com idas e vindas até superar o vício. Mora em Pires do Rio-GO, onde concilia o MMA com o trabalho de auxiliar de produção em uma fábrica de alimentos.
Nesta semana, em São Paulo, dormiu num hotel quase em frente ao lugar onde dormia na rua. "Lembrei que dormi na porta do hotel. Buscava comida, era usuário de droga, mas graças a Deus minha vida mudou", contou.
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