Bellator Fighting Championships continues to add its growing list of impressive Brazilian fighters, this time adding hard-hitting Jiu-Jitsu black belt Rene Nazare to their lightweight roster. After an impressive first round TKO victory at Bellator 39 over battle-tested PRIDE veteran Luiz "The Joker" Azeredo, Nazare will be a featured lightweight for Bellator, and should vie for a spot in Bellator's future Lightweight Tournament.
"The addition of Rene to our lightweight division, makes a stacked division that much stronger," said Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney. "Rene had a great performance at Bellator 39, and I'm really looking forward to his next step into our cage."
Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and currently residing in New York, the four-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion recently joined Team Bomb Squad as a Jiu-Jitsu instructor. While his ground game will always be his base in MMA, Nazare's explosive striking ability makes him a threat regardless of where the fight ends up.
"If you want to become a top MMA fighter, you have to be complete," said Nazare. "You have to be dangerous both standing and on the ground. My background is jiu-jitsu and I feel very confident on the ground - even when I'm in bad situations - but I feel really dangerous with my striking as well."
Currently undefeated an 8-0 and an impressive resume that includes first round finishes in six of his eight victories, Nazare isn't satisfied.
"I want to fight the best guys in the world," Nazare said. "That's my goal. I want to fight the Bellator Champion I want to become the best. If you want to become the best, you have to fight the best, and I want to fight the best so badly. I want Patricky Pitbull, I want Eddie Alvarez, I want all those guys."
