Pederneiras: Shooto Brazil Will Air Live on HDNet in 2012

The Aug. 25 “B.O.P.E.” show, a private event for Rio de Janeiro’s Special Police Operations Battalion, was broadcast via next-day tape-delay on HDNet. The cable channel’s executives were reportedly so pleased with the event that they immediately reached out to Andre Pederneiras, president of Shooto Americas and head of Rio’s Nova Uniao camp, to extend the TV deal.

Pederneiras (Pictured) revealed Saturday to Sherdog.com that Shooto Brazil will air live on HDNet in 2012. In addition, a new promotion dubbed Rio Fight Revolution -- which will hold its events in a cage -- is expected to debut on HDNet in November or December.

“HDNet got pumped with the success [of ‘Fight for B.O.P.E.’] and was really impressed with the fights that we matched up,” Pederneiras told Sherdog.com. “We’ve already made a deal to air one more show this year, maybe Rio Fight Revolution, and a bunch of Shooto shows in 2012. They’ve chosen Brazil’s greatest promotion and I’m really excited about this great opportunity to show so many athletes to the U.S., and to get more guys fighting in the UFC.”

According to Pederneiras, the attendance of famous MMA names such as Urijah Faber, Clay Guida, Pedro Rizzo, Joseph Benavidez and former WEC head Reed Harris added an extra appeal to Shooto Brazil’s most recent show. “Dede” also revealed plans for a ceremony which will honor former Shooto South American champions who have gone on to fight in major promotions worldwide.

“Maybe it will happen at the cage-format promotion’s debut,” said Pederneiras. “Our next champion to debut stateside is ‘Dudu’ Dantas, not to mention Jussier da Silva, Johnny Eduardo, ‘Guto’ Inocente, and obviously Glover Teixeira, who will secure a spot in the UFC or Strikeforce as soon as he resolves his visa issues.”