WGP 81

WGP Kickboxing returns to Brasília with three GPs on the same night in a historic edition

WGP Kickboxing is back in the federal capital. The 81st edition of the largest event of the sport on the continent takes place on September 28, at the IESPLAN gymnasium, in Brasília. For the first time, the organization is hosting three GPs on the same night, with a spotlight on the Challenger GP of the Super-Middles (up to 78.1kg), which will determine the next challenger for the champion Marcos Carvalho’s belt, with fights between Iury Souza vs Cícero Evangelista and Lucas Rafael vs Rafael Sonak. The night also features two Qualifier GPs, in the Super-Light (64.5kg) and Welterweight (71.8kg) categories. Among the Super-Lights, the matchups include Julio Assunção vs Lucas Sorin and Dilvando Castro vs Bruno Santos. Meanwhile, in the Welterweights, Mateus Machado faces the Peruvian Renzo Torres, and Gabriel Mollotov takes on the Argentine Enzo Vicente. The winners will secure a spot in the future Challenger GP of their divisions. The event will be broadcast live on Canal Combate.

WGP 81 will once again be held in partnership with the Sports and Leisure Secretariat of the Federal District Government. The agency has been a long-time ally in promoting and supporting martial arts and athletes in the state and has been transforming the federal capital into the main hub for fighting in Brazil. Entry will be free, with a donation of 1kg of non-perishable food, which will be collected at the entrance and donated to a charity.

“We are very happy to return to Brasília, a city with a great tradition in martial arts and that has always welcomed us very well. It will be a historic night with three GPs, something unprecedented in WGP's history. This shows how much the sport is growing and our commitment to uncover new talents and promote great confrontations,” emphasizes Paulinho Zorello, president of WGP.

Record GPs: three tournaments in the same night is an unprecedented fact in WGP

The highlight of the night will be the Challenger GP of the Super-Middles, which guarantees the winner the position of the next challenger for the category's belt. The bracket includes four of the best athletes in the category. On one side, Iury Souza takes on Cícero Evangelista in a matchup of distinct styles, promising a lot of movement and intense exchanges. While Iury has mobility and technique as his strong suits along with good combinations, Cícero is a very aggressive athlete and has low kicks as an important weapon in his game.

A native of Espírito Santo and brother of WGP athlete, Denis Jr,{