In a meeting between two stout bantamweights, Herbeth “Indio” Sousa met his countryman Taigro Costa to headline Future FC 7 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Sousa would score an early knockdown and finish the job on the mat, resulting in a first-round submission and the promotional championship belt around his waist.
It was Costa, 31, who on the outset commanded the center of the cage. He dictated the geography of the fight from a good posture, hands up, and elbows tight. He occasionally tossed out a short jab. But the 25-year-old Sousa, despite fighting in reverse, tossed out a handful of range-finding shots: front kicks, jabs, and overhand rights.
Just under the three-minute mark, Sousa finally uncorked a right hand that backed Costa up. The punch missed but the older Brazilian was left leaning backwards with his hands down and Sousa promptly planted a left hand on his chin.
Costa went down and Sousa quickly wrapped him up, cinching a guillotine choke until the tap came at 3:10 of Round 1.
An emphatic first-round submission for Herbeth “Indio” Sousa makes a UFC call up feel imminent. For now he will enjoy his Future FC bantamweight title. pic.twitter.com/y9769NdecO
— Round By Round MMA (@rbrmma) July 27, 2019
In the post-fight interview, Sousa was overcome with emotion. He dedicated the win to his brother who passed away in 2012. And he made it known his goal is a future in the UFC.
“I’m really emotional—I don’t even know what to say,” Sousa said. “I don’t know what I have to do anymore to get my contract with the UFC. I want two things: I want my UFC contract and I want people to look better at my Constricted team. Give us the opportunity.”
Prospects of an Octagon debut look bright for Sousa. Now riding a four-fight win streak, he is training out of Team Constrictor with UFC mainstays Renato Moicano, Francisco Trinaldo and Rani Yahya.
In chief-support, the 24-year-old upstart Jackson Loureiro extended his undefeated ledger with a scintillating 15-second knockout of Anderson “Buzica” Ferreira. The finish snapped Ferreira’s 13-fight win streak.
A left high kick quickly stretched out Ferreira where Loureiro followed him to the ground and interchanged a series of crushing hammerfists.
Future FC 7 Results: Jackson Loureiro only needed 15 seconds to extend his undefeated record pic.twitter.com/hvbTyeJLUO
— Round By Round MMA (@rbrmma) July 27, 2019
