Maximo Blanco STRIKEFORCE – UFC DECISION
By Sean Farrell
The MMA transaction of the year has just happened, Venezuelan fighting machine and fan favorite Maximo Blanco has signed with Strikeforce.
A source close to Blanco has confirmed with Sherdog.com that the Sengoku Raiden veteran and former lightweight King of Pancrase has signed a four-fight deal with Strikeforce.
This signing is only the first step towards not only Blanco competing in the U.S., but the Pan-American freestyle wrestling bronze medalist is considering permanent relocation to the United States. Currently, Blanco’s handlers are seeking an agreement for him to train stateside before his official debut in the cage, which by all means, makes a lot of sense instead of rushing him in like many other prospects coming in from Japan.
Blanco’s terms with Sengoku Raiden officially came to a halt when his promotional support and housing was withdrawn earlier this year, following the SRC’s failed relationship with its top sponsor, Japanese retailer Don Quijote.
Blanco moved to Japan as a teen, and went on to wrestle at Sendai Ikuei High School before attending Nihon University on a wrestling scholarship. In his MMA career, Blanco has trained under the tutelage of Olympic judo gold medalist Hidehiko Yoshida at his dojo and J-Rock Workout Studio in Tokyo.
In search of newer career opportunities, Blanco also has signed with American management group SuckerPunch Entertainment in his hopes of relocating to the United States. Blanco will enter the cage with a cumulative 8-2-1 record, his last bout came by way of a decision victory over South Korea’s Won Sik Park in Sengoku Raiden’s “Soul of Fight” last December. Blanco’s showing in that event was subpar however, as he didn’t look anywhere near as impressive as his earlier outings with the promotion. But, that all makes sense now as not a lack of skill but a lack of desire.