Priya Sharma will be back in action next weekend. The Indian strawweight is based in Brazil and has been matched with undefeated Russian Alisa Savaleva at SFT 45.
The event is set for Sao Paulo and the promotion has decided to throw in two foreign strawweights who are currently based in Brazil together. Saveleva (4-0) has spent her entire career competing there.
The Russian appears to have originally started training with BJJ black belt Denilson Matos in Moscow. She subsequently relocated to Brazil with him and now represents the Ninja Fight Team.
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Relentless takedowns
Sharma (5-1) is coming off a decision win over Ireni Oliveira at SFT 43 in October. She is currently training out of the the Academia Ribas Family which is home to UFC strawweight Amanda Ribas.
In her last fight the Indian was relentless in her pursuit of takedowns and Sharma appears to have been focused on her ground game since moving to Brazil. None of Saveleva’s previous opponents had a win on their record so this looks to be the first real test for the Russian.
The strawweight title will be on the line in the main event. Thaiane Souza (9-6) has been matched with Alexia Thainara (9-1) and the latter will be looking to make it eight wins in a row.
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Bigger things
The event is set for Ginásio Mauro Pinheiro in Sao Paulo. The card seems to primarily consist of kickboxing bouts but the action will take place in a cage.
Last week the UFC plan to send Indian fighters to train in Shanghai was leaked. Sharma would surely be in contention for this program, assuming she wanted to leave Brazil.
The Indian’s record is comparable with Puja Tomar who recently earned a UFC contract. If she can beat the undefeated Saveleva next week then bigger things surely beckon for Sharma.
SFT 45, Sao Paulo, December 17th
Thaiane Souza vs. Alexia Thainara (For vacant strawweight title)
Priya Sharma vs. Alisa Savaleva (Strawweight)
