Two disabled fighters collided during an MMA fight this Saturday in Paraupebas 12 four hours from Belem, a major Brazilian city.
The bout took place as the curtain jerker of ABCF Fighting 23 and featured Geova Rodrigues Botelho in the blue corner and Pedro Costa in the opposite side as the red corner. They traded punches to the face for three three-minute rounds, with Costa coming out victorious via split decision. In the end, both athletes were happy to be part of the experience.
“It was an unforgettable fight,” Costa told MMA Fighting. Costa said, “I have been in a wheelchair for 14 many years. I never considered fighting.” This idea was presented to me in 2016, but as I didn’t train at that time and wasn’t ready for it, it wasn’t something I had considered. After speaking with Muay Thai boxing and Muay Thai coaches, I decided to take the plunge. Fighting is not an easy sport for disabled people. Geova and me are close friends, and it was a brave thing to do. I’ll never forget this moment.”
ABCF Fighting founder Marcio Machado told MMA Fighting that Botelho was a “champion in karate” before suffering an accident that left him in a wheelchair, and has continued to compete in sports while in a wheelchair. Costa, likewise, was paralyzed after a gunshot.
” They are both highly-performing athletes,” Machado stated. “And close friends of my asked me why I wouldn’t book a MMA bout between disabled athletes.” We spoke with our medical staff and referees and did some research on the legality of this, and decided to make it happen.”
Machado said the next card of ABCF Fighting is scheduled for Sept. 7 and will feature a championship bout between disabled fighters, “showing the world you can still compete in MMA even if you’re on a wheelchair.” Machado said other disabled men have already reached out interested in fighting in upcoming ABCF Fighting events.
” They’ve wanted to participate in this since childhood but have never been able to,” Machado stated. It was possible because we were brave enough to do it and it was hugely successful. We’re now looking into helping these athletes to find better training and make this competition even better, so other athletes can do it too. This is .”
the ultimate goal.
“If there are other challenges available, we’ll do it,” Costa said. I’ll send the UFC a note because this is a great idea for disabled people. I know it wasn’t a beautiful fight, but it was the first one.”
Watch the complete fight below.
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