Jose Augusto likes to keep his Instagram feed filled with motivational posts and action videos, so entering the RIZIN heavyweight grand prix is another opportunity to make money and create content for his social media page.
The Brazilian fighter, who was part of the Bellator roster as a light heavyweight between 2021 and 2023, debuts on Japanese soil on May 4 against Tsuyoshi Sudario at RIZIN: Otoko Matsuri. With six of his 10 professional wins coming by way of knockout, he wants another finish this weekend in Tokyo.
“I hope for a knockout, something that becomes a highlight,” Augusto told MMA Fighting. “My Instagram is full of videos, quotes, things that are motivation for me. Every time I feel a bit down, I revisit feelings I had, things that were important for me, and that brings me back to reality. It reminds me of what I have to do. I want a highlight so I can continue to motivate myself.”
Augusto went 2-2 under the Bellator banner, including a wild brawl with Anthony Johnson, and is now riding a three-fight winning streak with a couple of victories inside the LFA cage. RIZIN reached out to LFA looking for a heavyweight to represent the company in the 2025 grand prix in Japan, and Augusto was the name sent to Japan.
“It was a surprise because I expected to get a fight in Brazil, but instead had the opportunity to fight in Japan,” Augusto said. “And it’s great that it’s a grand prix. I had a break of a full year between fights at LFA. If God continues to bless me, I’ll be able to fight three times between now and December, so that will be cool. I’ll get more wins going, the rhythm goes through the roof, and I’m also getting paid in dollars. About time [laughs].”
Augusto will face the winner of Islambek Baktybek Uulu vs. Alexander Soldatkin if he’s victorious Sunday, and the final match will be against whoever emerges between Marek Samociuk, Daniel James, Mikio Ueda and Shoma Shibisai. “Gugu” didn’t study all the opponents on the lineup before finding out his quarterfinal foe, but had already seen Sudario as the most favorable match-up among the three Japanese heavyweights.
“I was confident against the three Japanese, but I think the match-up is even better [against Sudario],” Augusto said. “I think it’s going to be a very good fight for me. People like watching stand-up fights. We’ll go there and trade hands. If he wants to exchange kicks, let’s do that. If he wants to go to the ground, I’m fine too, but I believe we’ll stay on the feet. It’s going to be fun an exciting. Let’s see who’s has the bigger balls.”
“Gugu” feels great competing as a heavyweight, especially now that he can eat chocolate without extra workout to compensate the calories. He’s open to going back to 205 pounds one day if the pay is right, but being undefeated in this weight class is another incentive to stay heavier. Not having to cut weight doesn’t mean he’s working less in the gym, though.
“Since the beginning of my career, my first fights, I’m the type of athlete that always gets tired because I’ll always try to hurt the other guy,” Augusto said. “I’ll spend all the energy I have trying to hurt the guy. I also get tired in a fight. The only fight I was more conservative was my LFA debut because I had just done hand surgery and only trained six weeks for that fight. I’ll always get tired. I don’t care about that. I just can’t get more tired than the other guy.”
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