Sustain has announced that Shooto Lightweight champion Alexandre Franca Nogueira "Pequeno" will defend his title vs Antonio Carvalho of Canada at the 12th May card in Tokyo, Japan. Many have been looking forward to a showdown between Pequeno vs Gilbert Melendez for the title, but with injuries, excuses and now Melendez signing to fight at the HEROS GP, the number 2 ranked Carvalho gets the shot. Pequeno's last title defense was against fellow brazilian Joao Roque who he dominated for a decision victory, after that Pequeno tried his luck at 154lbs but ended up getting KO'd by Hideo Tokoro in HEROS and is now returning to 143lbs and Shooto.

Antonio Carvalho holds a 9-1 record in MMA, and is coming of a big TKO victory over Rumina Sato earlier this year, prior to that Carvalho has beaten rookie champion Lion Takashi by decision and lost a close fight to Jeff Curran for the Shooto Americas Lightweight Title looking at his last three fights. But now he's got a shot at taking down the longest reigning champion in Shooto and MMA history 'Pequeno' who has held the Shooto belt hostage since 1999 when he choked out Noboru Asahi for the second time with his patent Guillotine Choke. Pequeno has since then defended his title six times succesfully. Looking to make it a seventh.


Sustain Presents Professional Shooto: SHOOTO The DEVILOCK
May 12th, 2006
Korakuen Hall
Tokyo, Japan
Doors Open: 17:00
Fights Start: 18:30

Class A, 67 KG, 3R 5M
Tenkei Fujimiya (STG Yokohama) vs. Akitoshi Tamura (Tsudanuma Dojo)

Class A, 70 KG, 3R 5M
Mizuto Hirota (Gutsman Shooto Dojo) vs. Jin Kazeta (Philoctetes Niigata)

Class A, 56 KG, 3R 5M
Setsu Iguchi (Team BADASS13) vs. Mamoru Yamaguchi (STG Yokohama)

World Lightweight Title Fight, 65 KG, 3R 5M
Alexandre Franca Nogueira (Shooto Brazil Dojo) vs Antonio Carvalho (Shah Franco)