It warms the heart to see MMA treated as a legitimate sport, but it is worth remembering that the scene was far different two decades ago. In this edition of the Vale Tudo Relics series, I turn to another story from MMA’s Middle Ages, involving Roberto Traven and Leonardo Castello Branco, who set out for Russia in May 1997 with trainers Claudio Coelho and Fabio Gurgel. I was the final member of the Brazilian delegation, as I had been invited to cover the two-day Absolute Fighting Championship 2 event for Tatame, Kakutougi Tushin and Budo magazines.
Vale Tudo Relics: Absolute Fighting Championship 2
