‘Popo’ Bezerra Expecting ‘Nothing Less Than a Battle’ Against Marlon Sandro at Bellator 64

While Marlon Sandro, his opponent at Bellator 64, does not own quite the same finishing streak as Bezerra, he is of a like mind nonetheless. Those who have tasted the Nova Uniao’s vaunted uppercut can attest to Sandro’s wicked knockout power.

With that in mind, a short night’s work would seem to be in order when “Popo” and Sandro lock horns in their Season 6 featherweight tournament semifinal on Friday night. Bezerra, however, will enter the cage with no assumptions as to how the confrontation will unfold at Caesars in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

“Whether I win by knockout, submission or decision, the plan is to go out there and win by any means necessary,” the 24-year-old Daddis Fight Camps representative recently told Sherdog.com. “Against a fighter like Marlon, I know that anything can happen. I am going to come forward in this fight and impose my will on Marlon.”

It is a strategy that has worked thus far. In his quarterfinal matchup with Kenny Foster at Bellator 60, Bezerra ultimately turned a failed takedown attempt from the American into a fight-ending rear-naked choke with just three seconds remaining in round two. It was the fifth straight victory under the Bellator Fighting Championships banner for Bezerra, who has also beaten Sam Jones, Jesse Gross, Scott Heckman and Douglas Evans during his tenure with the Chicago-based promotion. The 9:57 Bezerra needed to defeat Foster was the second-longest fight of his career; only a three-round decision over Munil Adriano in 2008 took longer. Though the cage time might suggest otherwise, Bezerra says his bouts have been anything but easy.

“Throughout my career, all my fights have been tough,” he said. “I don’t expect anything less than a battle against Marlon Sandro, and that’s what I’ve prepared myself for. I always go in to win. Friend or foe, it doesn’t matter who is on the other side of the cage.”

After Bezerra took care of Foster at Bellator 60, Sandro dispatched Roberto Vargas in equally impressive fashion, eliciting a tap out from his opponent at 3:35 of the opening frame. The 35-year-old has only been defeated by current Bellator featherweight king Pat Curran and UFC talents Hatsu Hioki and Michihiro Omigawa in his 24-fight career. Despite Sandro’s solid credentials, Bezerra believes he has the edge in a couple of key areas.

“The biggest advantages I think I will hold over Marlon will be in the wrestling and cardio departments,” Bezerra said. “I believe my takedowns are better than his, and my endurance level is higher than his as well.”

If Bezerra is indeed correct, he might just find himself one step away from a title shot at the end of the night.

“Winning this tournament would change my life,” he said. “After all, $100,000 would change anybody's life. This is my chance to realize my dream.”