Bloody Elbow, for MMA and UFC news

UFC lightweight, Gray Maynard, has been spending time training in Brazil at Nova Uniao, and was recently awarded his blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu by Andre Pederneiras.

Bellator FC has signed Nova Uniao prospect and #1 Bantamweight Scouting Report fighter Eduardo Dantas to a multi-fight deal. Dantas is expected to be included in a Season 5 Bantamweight draw to determine a challenger for title holder Zach Makovsky. (HT and Photo credit: Sherdog.com)

Shooto 154-pound world champion Willamy "Chiquerim" Freire (17-2) has signed with the UFC and will debut on August 1st against Thiago Tavares (14-3-1), according to manager Andre Pederneiras. Source: Gracie Mag Photo: Sherdog UFC on Versus 2 coverage

Nova Uniao flyweight Jussier "Formiga" tells Tatame that he's just waiting on "B.J." Kojima for his shot at Shooto's 123-pound title. "I'm training hard for this fight... Dede (Pederneiras) sent an email to the Japanese, who have an event at the end of the year, but it seems like (Kojima) got hurt and the fight will happen next year... If I win, God willing, we'll be in America next year... My weight class doesn't exist (in the WEC) yet, but they've said a few times that they're creating it, so... we'll see," said the flyweight, who supplements his MMA training with work as a motorcycle courier for a hosptal.

Jose Aldo is auctioning off his autographed fight banner and Dethrone walk-in hat from WEC 44, with proceeds to be donated to the Nova Uniao Community Program. The non-profit organization was established by Nova Uniao founder Andre Pederneiras to provide youngsters from the favelas with BJJ gis, mats and other training equipment. Check both auctions on eBay.

Where's Aldo?

Sengoku Featherweight Grand Prix semifinalist Marlon Sandro and the Nova Uniao crew at an open workout in Kanigawa on Thursday. The featherweight King of Pancrase says he's ready for the tournament dark horse Michihiro Omigawa on August 1st and knows he needs to end the fight quickly so he can be fresh for the finals. Teammate Felipe Olivieri, meanwhile, promised a KO finish to his August 8th Pancrase bout against Koji Oishi.