Teixeira-Eastman Tops Shooto Brazil’s ‘Fight for B.O.P.E.’ Card

Andre Pederneiras, president of Shooto Americas and leader of Nova Uniao, announced Wednesday that Teixeira-Eastman will headline the eight-bout card for Shooto Brazil’s “Fight for B.O.P.E.”

Modeled after the UFC’s “Fight for the Troops” series, the private event will benefit Rio’s military police special forces, the Batalhao de Operacoes Policiais Especiais (Special Police Operations Battalion), and will air live on Brazilian channel Combate.

One of MMA’s top unsigned light heavyweights, the 31-year-old Teixeira (Pictured) is in the midst of a busy summer. Having already punched out Marcio “Pe de Pano” Cruz and Simao Melo in the past 60 days, Teixeira will face countryman Antonio Mendes for the vacant Shooto South America 220-pound title on Aug. 5 before tangling with his American foe. Eastman, 40, has not competed since July 2010, when he snapped a four-fight losing skid with a stoppage of Australian Api Hemara.

Three additional “Nova Uniao versus North America” matchups have also been confirmed for the “B.O.P.E.” card. Former UFC lightweight Ronys Torres has recorded five consecutive first-round stoppages and will look to make it six against Mexican vet Akbarh Arreola, himself the winner of four straight. Newly signed Dream bantamweight Rodolfo Marques will take on tough Idahoan Jesse Brock, while once-beaten Hacran Dias will square off against California-based lightweight Eddie Hoch.

On the undercard, a pair of B.O.P.E. officers to-be-named will enter the ring to clash with Argentinians Juan Pablo Cordoba and Guillermo Teze in separate bouts.