Luiz Azeredo

Luiz Azeredo is a Brazilian retired mixed martial artist, born on June 10, 1976, in São Paulo and best known by his ring name "The Joker."^[1][2] He competed professionally from the late 1990s to 2011, primarily in the lightweight and welterweight divisions, amassing a record of 15 wins and 10 losses, with 8 victories by knockout or technical knockout.^[1][3] Affiliated with the renowned Chute Boxe Academy in Curitiba, Brazil, Azeredo gained prominence in major promotions such as PRIDE Fighting Championships and Bellator Fighting Championships, where he faced elite competition including future champions.^[4] Azeredo's career highlights include an early unanimous decision victory over a then-up-and-coming Anderson Silva on May 27, 2000, marking Silva's first professional MMA loss, as well as a win against Paul Daley.^[4][1] Standing at 5 feet 10 inches with an orthodox stance, he showcased a balanced skill set, earning 1 submission win and 6 decisions alongside his striking finishes, while competing against top-tier opponents like Takanori Gomi and Tatsuya Kawajiri, to whom he suffered notable defeats.^[1][3] His tenure in PRIDE, particularly during the early 2000s, solidified his reputation as a durable and aggressive fighter from the Chute Boxe lineage, known for its aggressive Muay Thai and grappling integration.^[4] Following his retirement after a loss to Rene Nazare on April 2, 2011, Azeredo transitioned into coaching, leveraging his experience as a third-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and a black belt in Chute Boxe Muay Thai.^[4] He serves as head professor at Chute Boxe LA, the first East Coast U.S. branch of the academy, where he trains amateur and professional fighters in MMA, Muay Thai, and jiu-jitsu, emphasizing personal development and technical proficiency.^[4] Additionally, he coaches at RGA Middletown, contributing to the growth of martial arts communities in the United States.^[5]

Background

Early life

Luiz Azeredo was born on June 10, 1976, in São Paulo, Brazil.^[2][1] Raised in São Paulo, Azeredo developed an early interest in martial arts, beginning his training with a strong foundation in Brazilian jiu-jitsu within the local grappling community.^[6] This initial exposure to ground-based techniques shaped his approach to combat sports during his formative years, prior to his transition into professional mixed martial arts.

Martial arts training

Azeredo began his martial arts journey in Brazil, training primarily at the Chute Boxe Academy in Curitiba, a gym renowned for its emphasis on Muay Thai and Vale Tudo fighting styles. Founded in 1978, Chute Boxe provided a rigorous environment that shaped many early MMA fighters, and Azeredo emerged as one of its prominent lightweights during the late 1990s and early 2000s. There, he honed his striking skills, earning a black belt in Chute Boxe Muay Thai, while the academy's intense sparring sessions built his resilience and competitive edge.^[1][4] Within Chute Boxe, Azeredo specialized in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to complement the team's striking focus, becoming a key figure in integrating grappling techniques into their training regimen. He achieved a 3rd degree black belt in BJJ, reflecting years of dedicated ground work alongside his stand-up development. This dual emphasis allowed him to compete effectively in MMA's multifaceted demands, as noted by academy founder Rudimar Fedrigo, who highlighted Azeredo's role in advancing jiu-jitsu within the gym. Occasionally, he cross-trained at other facilities, such as the Macaco Gold Team in São Paulo, where he sparred with peers like Anderson Silva.^[7][5][4][8] His training philosophy, forged in Chute Boxe's demanding atmosphere, emphasized mental toughness and versatility, preparing him for high-stakes bouts in promotions like PRIDE. Azeredo's background in both Muay Thai and BJJ not only fueled his professional debut in 1997 but also influenced his later coaching, where he imparts these foundational skills to students.^[9]

Professional MMA career

Early career (1997–2000)

Azeredo began his professional mixed martial arts career in Brazil, debuting on May 14, 1997, at the Brazil Free Style - The Best Fighters event in São Paulo.^[1] The event featured a multi-bout format typical of early vale tudo competitions, allowing fighters to compete multiple times in a single night under minimal rules emphasizing striking and grappling.^[2] In his first bout, Azeredo defeated an unidentified opponent via TKO (punches) at 5:18 of the opening round, showcasing his aggressive ground-and-pound style.^[1] He followed with a quick TKO victory over Alexandre Alexandre by elbows at 1:52 of round one, advancing further in the event.^[10] However, Azeredo was eliminated later that evening, losing a unanimous decision to Antonio Duarte after a 10-minute bout, marking his initial professional setback. After a three-year hiatus from recorded professional bouts, Azeredo returned in 2000, aligning himself with the renowned Chute Boxe Academy in Curitiba, Brazil, known for producing elite strikers and grapplers.^[1] On May 27, 2000, at Meca World Vale Tudo 1, he faced a pivotal matchup against Anderson Silva in a welterweight bout under vale tudo rules.^[11] Azeredo controlled the fight with effective clinch work and takedowns, earning a unanimous decision victory after two five-minute rounds (29-28 on all cards), handing the future UFC Middleweight Champion his second professional loss.^[11] This win, one of only four in Silva's early career defeats, highlighted Azeredo's versatility in blending Muay Thai striking with Brazilian jiu-jitsu submissions.^[12] Azeredo's international exposure came later that year on August 4, 2000, at Shooto - R.E.A.D. 8 in Tokyo, Japan, where he dropped a unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) to Hayato Sakurai in a three-round welterweight fight.^[1] Sakurai's superior wrestling and ground control neutralized Azeredo's offense, exposing areas for improvement in prolonged grappling exchanges against elite competition.^[2] Azeredo rebounded on November 14, 2000, at Meca World Vale Tudo 3, securing a TKO (retirement due to strikes) against Fabricio Camoes at 1:36 of the second round.^[1] Camoes, a skilled grappler, succumbed to Azeredo's relentless pressure and body shots, underscoring his growing reputation as a durable finisher in Brazilian promotions.^[2] By the end of 2000, Azeredo held a 4-2 record, establishing himself as a promising talent from the Chute Boxe camp with a foundation in high-stakes regional events.^[1]

Brazilian promotions (2001–2003)

Continuing his development in Brazilian MMA circuits, Azeredo won by TKO (knees) against Cristiano Marcello at Meca World Vale Tudo 6 on January 31, 2002.^[1] His final fight of the period came on September 19, 2003, at Brazil Super Fight, where he defeated Rodrigo Ruas by TKO (punches) at 1:26 of the first round.^[1] These victories, part of a 2-0 run from 2002 to 2003, established Azeredo as a rising talent, setting the stage for his entry into larger international organizations like PRIDE in 2005.^[1]

Cage Rage and international promotions (2004–2009)

Following his activity in Brazilian promotions through 2003 and into 2004, Azeredo secured two victories by TKO. On June 5, 2004, he lost a unanimous decision to Tony De Souza at Meca World Vale Tudo 11 in Curitiba, Brazil, in a welterweight bout that went the full three rounds.^[1] He rebounded with a first-round TKO (punches and stomps) over Eduardo Simoes at Storm Samurai 4 on August 7, 2004, in Balneario Camboriu, Brazil, and followed with another TKO (punches) victory against Regiclaudio Alves Macedo in the second round at Storm Samurai 5 on November 5, 2004, also in Balneario Camboriu.^[1] These wins, both in lightweight contests, improved his record to 8-4.^[2] Azeredo entered PRIDE in 2005 for its Bushido series, which emphasized lighter weight classes and grand prix tournaments. At PRIDE Bushido 6 on April 3, 2005, in Nagoya, Japan, he earned a controversial split decision win over Luiz Firmino in a 73 kg catchweight bout, outstriking his fellow Brazilian over two five-minute rounds despite Firmino's grappling pressure.^[1] Less than a month later, on May 22, 2005, at PRIDE Bushido 7 in Tokyo, Azeredo faced Takanori Gomi in a lightweight title eliminator and was knocked out by punches at 3:42 of the first round.^[13] He entered the 2005 PRIDE Lightweight Grand Prix at Bushido 9 on September 25, 2005, in Tokyo, defeating Naoyuki Kotani by KO (knees and punches) just 11 seconds into the first round in the quarterfinals.^[14] In the semifinals that same night, Azeredo rematched Gomi and lost a unanimous decision after two rounds, with judges scoring it 20-18 across the board as Gomi controlled the standup exchanges.^[15] These PRIDE appearances highlighted Azeredo's striking prowess but exposed vulnerabilities against elite grapplers and power punchers.^[1] In 2006, Azeredo's final PRIDE outing came at Bushido 10 on April 2 in Tokyo, where he was knocked out by a knee from Joachim Hansen at 7:09 of the first round in a welterweight bout, ending his association with the promotion on a three-fight skid.^[1] Transitioning to European MMA, he debuted with Cage Rage Championships, the UK's premier promotion at the time, on December 9, 2006, at Cage Rage 19: Fearless in London. Facing Paul Daley, the British welterweight champion competing at lightweight, Azeredo won a unanimous decision (30-27 on all cards) after three rounds, dominating with superior footwork and counterstriking to neutralize Daley's aggressive pressure.^[16] This victory over the 12-5-2 Daley, who later became a UFC contender, stands as Azeredo's most notable win in the promotion and boosted his international profile.^[17] Azeredo's international schedule continued into 2007 with Yarennoka!, a one-off event organized by former PRIDE officials on December 31 in Saitama, Japan. There, he dropped a unanimous decision (20-18) to Tatsuya Kawajiri in a lightweight rematch, as Kawajiri's wrestling overwhelmed Azeredo's output over two rounds.^[1] Returning to Brazil in 2008, he secured a unanimous decision win over Milton Vieira at The One: VIP Fighting on February 13 in Rio de Janeiro, using his jab and takedown defense to outpoint the veteran submission specialist over three rounds.^[2] However, at Jungle Fight 10 on July 12, 2008, in Rio de Janeiro, Azeredo was submitted by kimura from Ronys Torres at 4:34 of the first round in a lightweight contest, marking a setback in a promotion known for showcasing South American talent internationally.^[18] No fights are recorded for Azeredo in 2009.^[13] Overall, this period saw Azeredo compile a 5-6 record across promotions, with his Cage Rage triumph and PRIDE tournament run underscoring his resilience in high-stakes international bouts against top competition.^[1] (Table includes only international and major promotion fights from 2005–2008; 2004 Brazilian bouts omitted for focus.)^[1][2]

Bellator Fighting Championships (2010–2011)

Azeredo competed in three international bouts in 2010 prior to joining Bellator. On September 10, he submitted Brandon Adamson via rear-naked choke at 3:06 of the first round at UCC 3 - Renegades in Canada.^[1] Two weeks later, on September 24, he lost a unanimous decision to Mikhail Malyutin at Ring of Combat 31 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, after three rounds.^[1] He rebounded on October 16 with a unanimous decision victory over Niko Puhakka at Fight Festival 28 in Helsinki, Finland.^[1] Azeredo made his promotional debut with Bellator Fighting Championships on October 21, 2010, at Bellator 33 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he competed in a lightweight bout against the previously undefeated Brazilian prospect Eduardo Guedes.^[1][13] The fight, held on the preliminary card of an event headlined by Eddie Alvarez's lightweight title defense, saw Azeredo control the action over three rounds with effective striking and grappling pressure, earning a unanimous decision victory with scores of 30-27 across all three judges.^[19][20] Azeredo returned to Bellator on April 2, 2011, at Bellator 39 in Uncasville, Connecticut, facing undefeated lightweight prospect Rene Nazare in a catchweight bout at 160 pounds on the untelevised undercard.^[21][22] The matchup ended abruptly in the first round when Nazare inflicted an arm injury on Azeredo during a grappling exchange, leading to a technical knockout stoppage at the 5:00 mark by referee Kevin MacDonald.^[13][23] This loss, attributed to the broken arm, halted Azeredo's brief momentum in the promotion and concluded his two-fight tenure with Bellator, as he did not compete further under the banner.^[1]

Fighting style and accomplishments

Technique and approach

Luiz Azeredo, a product of the renowned Chute Boxe Academy, exemplified the gym's signature aggressive and pressure-oriented fighting style, which emphasized Muay Thai-based striking integrated with Vale Tudo elements. Rooted in the academy's evolution from a pure Muay Thai program in the 1980s to a comprehensive MMA training hub by the early 1990s, Azeredo's approach focused on forward movement, high-volume combinations, and powerful low kicks to break down opponents' defenses. This style, characterized by relentless aggression and a willingness to engage in close-range exchanges, was honed through Chute Boxe's intense sparring sessions that prioritized physicality and mental toughness.^[24][25] Azeredo's striking arsenal featured sharp boxing fundamentals blended with Muay Thai clinch work, including knees and elbows, allowing him to maintain offensive momentum even under pressure. His professional record underscores this proficiency, with 8 of his 15 victories coming via knockout or TKO, representing 53% of his wins and highlighting his ability to finish fights with devastating power. Notable examples include his unanimous decision victory over Paul Daley at Cage Rage 19 on December 9, 2006, using consistent takedowns to neutralize the British striker's powerful stand-up game across three rounds in London, and his 2002 TKO of Cristiano Marcello via knees in the first round at Meca World Vale Tudo 6, demonstrating his precision in close-range striking.^[1] While primarily a stand-up fighter, Azeredo incorporated defensive wrestling and basic grappling to neutralize takedown threats, reflecting Chute Boxe's well-rounded curriculum that added Brazilian jiu-jitsu in 1991 to complement its striking base. This versatility was evident in his 2000 unanimous decision victory over a young Anderson Silva at Meca World Vale Tudo 1, where he controlled the pace through positional dominance and ground strikes across two rounds, preventing Silva from mounting significant offense. In PRIDE Fighting Championships bouts, such as his 2005 war with Luiz Firmino, Azeredo's approach shone in mutual striking exchanges, though he occasionally absorbed heavy damage due to the style's high-risk nature. Overall, his technique prioritized offensive output over pure defense, embodying Chute Boxe's philosophy of imposing will through unyielding aggression.^[26][12]

Notable victories

One of Luiz Azeredo's most significant early victories came against a then-up-and-coming Anderson Silva at Meca World Vale Tudo 1 on May 27, 2000, where he secured a unanimous decision after two rounds of dominant grappling and striking exchanges.^[27] This win marked Silva's first professional loss, as Azeredo outwrestled the future UFC Middleweight Champion throughout the bout in Curitiba, Brazil.^[8] Later that year, on November 14, 2000, Azeredo earned a TKO victory via retirement in the second round against Fabricio Camões at Meca World Vale Tudo 3, overwhelming the Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist with ground-and-pound after surviving early submission attempts.^[28] In the PRIDE Fighting Championships, Azeredo showcased his knockout power with a stunning first-round stoppage of Naoyuki Kotani at PRIDE Bushido 9 on September 25, 2005, landing knees and punches just 11 seconds into the fight at the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo.^[14] This quick finish highlighted Azeredo's explosive striking against a durable Japanese opponent known for his resilience in lighter weight classes. Earlier in the same promotion, at PRIDE Bushido 6 on April 3, 2005, he edged out Luiz Firmino via split decision over two rounds, relying on superior takedown defense and control to overcome Firmino's aggressive submissions in Yokohama, Japan.^[1] Azeredo's international success continued in Cage Rage, where he defeated Paul Daley by unanimous decision at Cage Rage 19: Fearless on December 9, 2006, using consistent takedowns to neutralize the English striker's powerful stand-up game across three rounds in London.^[16] This victory stood out for countering one of the division's most dangerous knockout artists, demonstrating Azeredo's well-rounded skill set in a high-profile European promotion.

Post-fighting career

Coaching roles

Following his retirement from professional mixed martial arts in 2011, Luiz Azeredo transitioned into coaching, leveraging his experience from competing in promotions like PRIDE Fighting Championships and Bellator Fighting Championships. He began by mentoring young fighters at the Chute Boxe Academy in São Paulo, Brazil, where he served as a head instructor and developed the skills of future coaches and competitors.^[29] Azeredo's most notable early mentoring role was with Diego Lima, whom he began training at age 14 in the mid-1990s. Under Azeredo's guidance at the São Paulo branch of Chute Boxe, Lima honed his techniques in Muay Thai, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and MMA, eventually taking over the academy when Azeredo relocated to Curitiba and later to the United States. This mentorship laid the foundation for Lima's career as head coach of Chute Boxe Diego Lima in Curitiba, Brazil, which has produced UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira among other top talents.^[9][30][29] Upon moving to the United States in the early 2010s, Azeredo established himself as a prominent coach in the New York-New Jersey area. He co-founded Hoboken Fight Club in Hoboken, New Jersey, in collaboration with Brian Schutzer, where he serves as head professor, offering classes in MMA, Muay Thai, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu seven days a week for all skill levels. The academy, affiliated with both Chute Boxe and Renzo Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, emphasizes technical instruction, strength training, and live sparring to build well-rounded fighters and hobbyists.^[4][31][32] In addition to his work at Hoboken Fight Club—also branded as Chute Boxe LA—Azeredo holds a position as an MMA and Muay Thai instructor at Renzo Gracie Academy Middletown in Middletown, New York. There, he provides private lessons and group classes, drawing on his credentials as a third-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and a Chute Boxe Muay Thai black belt to train amateurs, professionals, and recreational athletes. His coaching philosophy focuses on personal development alongside competitive preparation, aiming to elevate students' physical and mental resilience.^[5][4][33]

Notable students and contributions

After retiring from professional fighting, Luiz Azeredo transitioned into coaching, establishing himself as a key figure in perpetuating the aggressive, Muay Thai-infused Chute Boxe style within the MMA community. He founded Chute Boxe Luis Azeredo in Union City, New Jersey, where he serves as head instructor and owner, training amateur and professional fighters in MMA, Muay Thai, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and judo as a third-degree BJJ black belt.^[4][34] Additionally, Azeredo has held coaching positions at Renzo Gracie Academy in Middletown, New York, contributing to the development of fighters through integrated grappling and striking programs.^[5][33] Among his notable students is Oluwale Bamgbose, a UFC middleweight competitor who trained extensively under Azeredo at Renzo Gracie Academy. Azeredo served as Bamgbose's head coach, focusing on Muay Thai striking and overall fight preparation, including cornering him during UFC bouts such as the April 2016 event on UFC Fight Night.^[33][35][36] Bamgbose, who earned a black prajied (master rank) in Chute Boxe Muay Thai under Azeredo, credited the coach's guidance for enhancing his explosive power and timing in the octagon.^[37] Azeredo's instruction helped Bamgbose secure UFC victories, including knockouts against fighters like Tim Boetsch, demonstrating the practical impact of his coaching on high-level competition.^[37] Azeredo also mentored Diego Lima from an early age, beginning when Lima was 14 years old in São Paulo, Brazil. Under Azeredo's tutelage, Lima honed his skills in the Chute Boxe system, eventually taking over the São Paulo branch of the academy after Azeredo relocated.^[30][29] Lima, now head coach of Chute Boxe Diego Lima, has built a renowned program that trains UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira, extending Azeredo's influence to elite levels through this direct lineage.^[9] Azeredo's contributions extend to his family, coaching his son Victor "Baby Joker" Azeredo, a professional MMA fighter with a 1-0 record, including a submission win in his debut at Global Proving Ground 23 in 2016. Victor, who also competed as an amateur with a 2-0 record and notable kickboxing accomplishments, embodies the next generation of Chute Boxe practitioners under his father's guidance.^[38][39] Through these efforts, Azeredo has played a pivotal role in sustaining the Chute Boxe legacy in the United States, fostering a pipeline of fighters who emphasize relentless pressure and versatile striking.^[9]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record

Azeredo compiled a professional mixed martial arts record of 15 wins and 10 losses (8 knockouts, 1 submission, 6 decisions) across promotions including PRIDE, Cage Rage, Bellator, and others.^[1] The record above is presented in reverse chronological order, as compiled from verified bout data.^[1]

Win-loss breakdown

Azeredo compiled a professional mixed martial arts record of 15 wins and 10 losses over 25 bouts spanning from 1997 to 2011.^[1] His wins demonstrated a strong striking base, with 8 victories (53%) secured via knockout or technical knockout, including rapid finishes such as a first-round KO against Naoyuki Kotani in 11 seconds at Pride Bushido 9.^[1] He achieved 1 submission win (7%), a rear-naked choke against Brandon Adamson at UCC 3, while 6 wins (40%) went the distance to decision, often showcasing his endurance in longer fights like his unanimous decision over Paul Daley at Cage Rage 19.^[1] In contrast, Azeredo's 10 losses highlighted vulnerabilities to elite competition, with 6 (60%) coming by decision, including unanimous defeats to high-caliber opponents like Takanori Gomi at Pride Bushido 9 and Tatsuya Kawajiri at Yarennoka!.^[1] Three losses (30%) were by knockout or technical knockout, such as a first-round knee from Joachim Hansen at Pride Bushido 10, and 1 (10%) by submission via kimura to Ronys Torres at Jungle Fight 10.^[1] The following table summarizes Azeredo's win-loss methods: This distribution reflects Azeredo's aggressive, finish-oriented style in victories contrasted with competitive but often outpointed performances in defeats against top-tier lightweights.^[1]