by Colin Foster
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| Sandro and Sandro Junior |
Sandro confirmed Wednesday to Sherdog.com that he will face jiu-jitsu ace Rafael Dias at Bellator 58, scheduled for November 19 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Fla.
Sandro was originally tapped to fight against Miami-based Peruvian Luis Palomino, but Palomino was unable to go forward with the bout.
“He is a strong guy with a great BJJ background,” the Nova Uniao product opined. “He has good takedowns, so it my strategy that was developed for Palomino a little, but the training sessions are stronger as always and better than ever.”
The Sengoku featherweight champion’s last appearance was in the Summer Series featherweight tournament final in August, when he was knocked out by Pat Curran.
“It was painful. I was winning that fight and was aware that he was trying to connect that kick, and when I was moving away from him he landed it,” Sandro said. “I respect when someone turns a fight around when they’re losing, but Curran wasn’t respectful to me; he didn’t even talk to me after the fight.”
Bellator 58 is scheduled to be headlined by Bellator middleweight champion Hector Lombard taking on veteran Trevor Prangley in a 195-pound catchweight affair.
