2012 World MMA Welterweight Scouting Report: #5 - Hernani Perpetuo

Photo by Marcelo Alonso, Sherdog
Name:	Hernani Perpetuo
Nickname:	--
Age:	26
Height:	6'0"
Location:	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

This is a guest post by Rory MacLeod (smoogy)

A recurring theme in this year's scouting report has been the depth and breadth of the Brazilian national MMA circuit, and the welterweight division may be its deepest cross-section in terms of the talent level and quantity of its ranks. Nova Uniao's Hernani Perpetuo (12-3) has emerged from a proverbial bee's nest as one the most promising talents of them all.

Perpetuo is fortunate to be under the wing of Master Andre Pederneiras, Shooto South America boss and organizer of Shooto Brazil, one of the nation's most prominent and long-running events. Hernani amassed a record of 6-3 (1 NC) in the promotion from 2007-2011, punctuating his stint by capturing the 76 kilogram title. He made waves in July by edging Pride alumnus Daniel Acacio and UFC Veteran Edilberto "Crocota" Oliveira to win a four-man, one-night tournament in Rio. It wasn't easy, as Perpetuo was tagged by some of Acacio's heavy punches and nearly submitted by a buzzer-beater guillotine attempt from Crocota in the final.

It might get ulgy at times, but Hernani has shown he has the skills and resolve to win against a variety of opposition. Coming from an amatuer background in boxing, kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, he carries his hands high and excels at throwing quick combinations. He controls his opponents with roundhouse kicks and upper body takedowns, and his submission attack off his back and in transitions is dangerous.

Overall, Hernani's technical ability is sound, but like most Brazilian prospects, his wrestling could use some work. And when he is on his back, he needs to mix attempts to scramble back to standing along with his guard play. Perpetuo also has a tendency to plod around and fight down to his opponent's level of output at times.

Luckily, as a member of the renowned Nova Uniao team, Hernani is among good company. The coaching and training facilities at his disposal are some of the best in Brazil. If he can even come close to displaying the level of improvement seen recently by teammates like Bellator's Eduardo Dantas and UFC's Ronny Markes, Hernani Perpetuo will be fighting for a major organization soon.

Check out video footage of Hernani Perpetuo after the jump...

Hernani Perpetuo vs. Edilberto de Oliveira
Fight Club 1 - July 20, 2011

Hernani Perpetuo vs. Daniel Acacio
Fight Club 1 - July 20, 2011

Hernani Perpetuo vs. Marcos Antonio Santana
Shooto Brazil 22 - April 1, 2011

Hernani Perpetuo vs. Romario Manoel da Silva
Shooto Brazil 19 - October 17, 2010

Hernani Perpetuo vs. Alexandre Andreotti
Shooto Brazil 16 - June 12, 2010

Hernani Perpetuo vs. Jose Carlos
Shooto Brazil 7 - June 28, 2008