Shooto Brazil held a one-night lightweight tournament Sunday night in Rio de Janeiro to determine which Brazilian 155-pounder would earn a spot in Professional Fighters League’s 2020 season, and Mariana Morais secured the deal with a bang.
Morais, a teammate of former UFC champion Jessica Andrade at Parana Vale Tudo, edged out Contender Series alum and Shooto Brazil bantamweight champion Dayana Silva via split decision in the semifinal, setting up a final with Bianca Daimoni, who got past Yana Gadelha on the other side of the bracket.
Daimoni was making her return to the Brazilian circuit after losing a decision to Pannie Kianzad in her Invicta FC debut last May, and got knocked out by Morais in just 79 seconds.