Junior Assunção

Cleuder Ferreira Assunção Júnior (born 24 June 1981), known as simply Júnior Assunção, is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who formerly competed in the Lightweight division. A professional competitor since 2004, he has competed for the UFC, the Xtreme Fighting Championships, and King of the Cage.

Biography Originally from Northeastern Brazil, Junior grew up in Miami, and now resides in Atlanta. He is also the older brother of Raphael Assunção and Freddy Assunção who also fight as mixed martial artists.

Mixed martial arts career Junior Assuncāo has earned black belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Capoeira. His professional MMA career has led to extensive training in these disciplines as well as in Boxing, Judo, Muay Thai, and Wrestling. He has trained out of Black House (Casa Preta) gym in Brazil with the likes of MMA powerhouses Anderson Silva and Lyoto Machida.

Junior's martial arts foundation is in Capoeira, a Brazilian fight system characterized by acrobatic sweeps, kicks, and head butts that rely heavily on core strength. Having trained under Mestre Delei for 12 years, Junior credits his success in the combat sports to this discipline. As an instructor, Junior incorporates many techniques from Capoeira, such as agility, balance, and practical strength.

Amateur career Assunção holds an undefeated 2–0 record as an amateur, and made his debut on 17 May 2003, facing Scotty Johnson at ISCF: May Madness in Midtown. He won the fight via second round armbar. In his next amateur fight, Assunção faced Brendan Dumont at Submission Fighting Open 10 on 6 February 2004. He won the fight via guillotine choke, and would officially turn pro in April 2004.

Ultimate Fighting Championship With a 4–1 record, Assunção signed with the UFC in late 2006. Assunção faced rising star Kurt Pellegrino at UFC 64 on 14 October 2006. He lost the fight via rear-naked choke. In his next fight in the promotion, Assunção faced David Lee at UFC 70 on 21 April 2007. He won the fight via rear-naked choke.

Assunção then faced Nate Diaz at UFC Fight Night 11 on 19 September 2007. He lost the fight via guillotine choke, and was subsequently released from the promotion

Xtreme Fighting Championships After posting a 4–1 on the regional circuit, Assunção signed with Florida based promotion Xtreme Fighting Championships. He faced John Mahlow for the XFC Lightweight Championship at XFC 10: Night of Champions on 19 March 2010. He won the fight via guillotine choke, and vacated the championship to drop down in weight class and re-sign with the UFC.

Return to UFC In 2011, Assunção re-signed with the UFC. He faced promotional newcomer Eddie Yagin in a featherweight bout on 24 September 2011 at UFC 135. Assunção went on to win the fight by unanimous decision.

Assunção faced Ross Pearson on 30 December 2011 at UFC 141. He lost the fight via unanimous decision and was subsequently released from the promotion.

Post-UFC career Following his second release from UFC, Assunção faced Guilherme Faria for the PFC Featherweight Championship at PFC 2 on 13 September 2013. He won the fight via kimura.

Assunção faced Alejandro Rodriguez at XFC International 5 on 7 June 2014. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Championships and accomplishments Mixed martial arts Xtreme Fighting Championships XFC Lightweight Championship (One time) Premium Fight Championship PFC Featherweight Championship (One time, current)

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Arman Tsarukyan Decision (unanimous) Kunlun Fight World Tour: Russia

Khabarovsk, Russia Lightweight bout. Loss

Adam Townsend TKO (knee injury) Art of War 18

Beijing, China Welterweight debut. Win

Mauricio dos Santos Jr. TKO (head kick) XFC International 13

São Paulo, Brazil Win

Alejandro Solano Rodriguez Decision (unanimous) XFC International 5

Osasco, São Paulo, Brazil Win

Guilherme Faria de Souza Submission (kimura) Premium FC 2

Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil Loss

Ross Pearson Decision (unanimous) UFC 141

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Eddie Yagin Decision (unanimous) UFC 135

Denver, Colorado, United States Win

Wesley Murch Submission (rear-naked choke) Recife FC 4

Recife, Brazil Win

Mark Miller KO (punch) Recife FC 3

Recife, Brazil Win

John Mahlow Submission (guillotine choke) XFC 10: Night of Champions

Tampa, Florida, United States Win

Peter Grimes Decision (split) ShineFights 2

Miami, Florida, United States Win

Kamrin Naville Decision (unanimous) KOTC: Invincible

Atlanta, Georgia, United States Win

Kalvin Hackney Decision (unanimous) Wild Bill's Fight Night 17

Atlanta, Georgia, United States Loss

Torrance Taylor Decision (unanimous) American Fight League: Bulletproof

Atlanta, Georgia, United States Win

Steve Sharp Submission (guillotine choke) American Fight League: Erupption

Lexington, Kentucky, United States Loss

Nate Diaz Submission (guillotine choke) UFC Fight Night 11

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

David Lee Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 70

Manchester, England Loss

Kurt Pellegrino Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 64: Unstoppable

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Scott Hope TKO (punches) International Sport Combat Federation: Knuckle Up 4

Kennesaw, Georgia, United States Win

Dustin Hazelett TKO (punches) Full Throttle 3

Georgia, United States Win

Danny Payne Submission (rear-naked choke) Full Throttle 2

Atlanta, Georgia, United States Win

Will Bradford Submission (guillotine choke) International Sport Combat Federation: Compound Fracture 2

Atlanta, Georgia, United States Loss

Andrew Chappelle Decision (unanimous) International Sport Combat Federation: Fight Party

Atlanta, Georgia, United States Amateur mixed martial arts record Win

Brendan Dumont Submission (guillotine choke) International Sport Combat Federation: Submission Fighting Open 10

Macon, Georgia, United States Win

Scotty Johnson Submission (armbar) International Sport Combat Federation: May Madness

Atlanta, Georgia, United States