Lightweight Star Aurelio to Make UFC Debut on August 25 against Guida

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By Thomas Gerbasi

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu standout and PRIDE Bushido veteran Marcus Aurelio will make his long-awaited UFC debut on Saturday, August 25th, when he squares off against highly regarded lightweight up and comer Clay Guida on the UFC 74 card at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

UFC 74 is headlined by the UFC Heavyweight Championship bout between champion Randy Couture and challenger Gabriel Gonzaga, and the welterweight showdown between former UFC champion Georges St-Pierre and Josh Koscheck.

Aurelio (14-4) is a native of Fortaleza, Brazil, who now makes his home in Coconut Creek, Florida, where he trains with the renowned American Top Team. After turning pro in June of 2002 with a submission win over Walter McCall, the 33-year old “Maximus” has enjoyed great success in the fight game, most recently battling it out for six fights in the PRIDE Bushido series, where he submitted one of MMA’s best, Takanori Gomi in the first round in April of 2006. A rematch with Gomi in November of 2006 saw the Japanese star eke out a disputed split decision, and after close to nine months on the sidelines, Aurelio is eager to get back into competition and he is looking forward to starting the next chapter of his career in the Octagon.

“Like most fighters, this is a dream come true for me,” said Aurelio of competing in the UFC. “Especially after seeing my good friends Din Thomas, Wilson Gouveia, and Pitbull (Thiago Alves) competing there.”

Guida (1-2 in the UFC and 21-5 overall) is one of the most entertaining and energetic young fighters in the sport today and his 1-2 Octagon record is deceptive, considering that his decision losses to Tyson Griffin and Din Thomas were hotly contested wars that many felt could have gone the other way. In Aurelio, Guida will be facing his stiffest test as a pro, but as always, ‘The Carpenter’ is ready for whatever is thrown at him once the bell rings.

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