Rocky Road Leads Scherner to IFL Title Fight

The nickname means "to take it easy." In mixed martial arts, such a phrase might apply to a fighter who needs to rest an injury or perhaps slow the pace of training as a bout approaches. That's now how Scherner got the name, though.

In fact, it was the 6-foot-3, 257-pound Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt's teammates who nicknamed him. They had told him to take it easy. When he said he was, they yelled at him to take it easier. The "Pega-Leve" label stuck.

A native of Porto Alegre, Brazil, Scherner (7-5, 1 NC) competed in submission and jiu-jitsu competitions before making the transition to MMA. He captured his first win in fashion over Scott Bowman in May 2003. In that same year, a lack of good heavyweights forced the youthful MMA fighter to square off against a feared striker, UFC and Pride veteran Assuerio Silva (Pictures).

Scherner's head coaches at Brazilian Top Team believed he was ready for the Meca FC bout. Although he had little experience, he did have size and willpower. However, Silva had better standup, and Scherner shot for takedowns without precision. Eventually the fighters fell out of the ring following a scramble, leading to a no contest after Scherner couldn't continue.

Jungle FC promoter Wallid Ismail (Pictures) booked the rematch in May 2004. Silva's experience would prove superior in the second bout, as he avoided takedowns and finished Scherner with a guillotine choke in round two.

You might think a jiu-jitsu black belt getting submitted by a muay Thai specialist would be shameful. Scherner shrugged off the loss, staying focused on his development as a well-rounded fighter. Next came a string of submission victories in North America. Representing American Top Team, Scherner capped his run by submitting UFC veteran Aaron Brink (Pictures) with a guillotine choke.

"The fight lasted less than one minute," the Brazilian said. "I was in the best stage of my career. I believe this fight opened the UFC's doors for me."

Scherner debuted in the Octagon at the second Ultimate Fight Night. He started well against Brandon Vera (Pictures), but it wasn't enough to secure a victory. After taking several knees, Scherner lost via TKO. He lost his next UFC bout, too, dropping another TKO to Gabriel Gonzaga (Pictures).

Doubts about his heart arose. Believing the storm would pass, Scherner accepted a fight against Gilbert Yvel (Pictures) at Cage Rage in July 2006. "The Hurricane" took him out in the first round.

"My dark stage started with the Vera match and was pursuing me until the Yvel one," Scherner said. "This was a disturbing phase. The mental problems surpassed the importance of training."

At the time of the Yvel fight, Scherner was training at the ATT affiliate Gym Alkmaar in Holland.

"I took the fight one week prior," he said. "Once I was in Holland, with a wife pregnant, the stubborn baby was born three hours before my match against Yvel in England. She was alone there, without any parent to support her. I asked one of my Brazilian students, who speaks a little of Dutch to help her. So you can imagine how ‘good' mentally I stepped into the cage. I think all who knew what happened to me understood my performance or the lack of it. Yvel himself felt I could fight better, without so many mistakes. This is a fight I'd like to do again. I know I can do this better."

After the Yvel loss, though, Scherner began handling a trainer center in Thailand. He had worked as an instructor before, but again his instincts eventually sent him back to fighting. One year after the disappointing defeat to Yvel, Scherner knocked out Marcelo Barbosa at Storm Samurai in Brazil.

At that point "Pega-Leve" seemed to be poised to get back on track. Then unknown Michael Falcao knocked Scherner utterly unconscious in a Brazilian show in December.

"In the heat of the fight, my opponent landed an illegal blow when I was in the four-points position," Scherner explained. "In a fight before mine, the same happened and the guy who landed the illegal strike was disqualified. A lawyer is suing the show, and let's see what will happen."

To erase the defeat and finish 2007 well, Scherner took a fight four days later and easily beat Dirley Buga by TKO.

Now 2008 is looking to be a promising year. On Feb. 29, Scherner will challenge IFL heavyweight champion Roy Nelson (Pictures). The Brazilian will also be representing a new squad in the title bout. A connection between Dennis Hallman (Pictures) and Matt Lindland (Pictures) has given Scherner an opportunity to fight for Team Quest during the 2008 IFL season.

"I have to thank IFL and Lindland for making it happen," Scherner said. "I spent eight months in Thailand training Muay Thai with two excellent instructors, Charron and Chai. I came back to Brazil in October and mapped a road of preparation. Pedro Paulo ‘Peu' [muay Thai], Murilo Rupp [BJJ] conducted the training where I had teammates such as Thiago Tavares (Pictures), Daniel Mexicano, Lobinho, Rangel, Dragao, Pedrinho and Guiga. Better support than these Ataque-Duplo and Boxe Thai Team members would be impossible."

Prepared for Nelson, who sent Antoine Jaoude (Pictures) to the canvas in December to become the first IFL heavyweight champion, Scherner believes his opponent's unimpressive physique will mean little when the bell sounds.

"He's from BJJ and displayed good judo and rock fists," Scherner said. "He can be successful in any field. The fight will be hard, but I hope it is hardest for him."