Update: Andre Gusmao is still under contract with the IFL and will not fight Heath — or in the UFC for that matter — according to this report.
David Heath (7-2) will look to pull his record inside the Octagon above .500 when he meets up with UFC newcomer Andre Gusmao (5-0) at UFC 81: “Breaking Point” on February 2 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The light heavyweight bout was just added to the MMAWeekly.com rumors section.
Heath was choked unconscious during his last fight against Renato “Babalu” Sobral at UFC 74: “Respect” in August. The controversial result led to the ouster of the Brazilian veteran and to Heath’s second straight loss — he dropped a unanimous decision to Lyoto Machida at UFC 70: “Nations Collide” earlier this year.
Gusmao is an undefeated fighter who most recently competed in the International Fight League (IFL). In fact, his first round knockout win (knee) of Mike Ciesnolevicz sealed the victory for the Renzo Gracie-led New York Pitbulls at the 2007 Team Championship Final in September.
It’s certainly a fine addition to a stacked 205-pound division. Heath will certainly have his work cut out for him on SuperBowl weekend.
For the latest UFC 81: “Breaking Point” rumored fight card click here.
***
Update: For a recent article on Heath and his feelings on the Babalu incident (and more) check out UrbanTulsa.com. It’s a decent read. And thanks to MMAmania.com reader “PhilQNY” for the assist.
29 Comments »
Not a big fan of David Heath, but I like Andre. This will def be an undercard match.
Is Gusmao the first IFL vet to come over to UFC? I’ve watched a few IFL fights and thought some of those guys had some potential in the UFC, but figured that Dana would blackball them. Guess I shouldn’t be so cynical.
John Halverson is another IFL fighter the UFC picked up isn’t it? Got to go with the Brazilian fighter in this match.
[quote comment=”219603″]Is Gusmao the first IFL vet to come over to UFC? I’ve watched a few IFL fights and thought some of those guys had some potential in the UFC, but figured that Dana would blackball them. Guess I shouldn’t be so cynical.[/quote]
White has been very critical of people leaving the UFC to coach in the IFL, but from a fighter standpoint, his motto has been those promotions like the IFL serve as farms for the UFC. They give new talent a chance to standout and offers fighters the opportunity to gain experience. I guess this explains why Andre was unavailable for the grand prix.
I have never seen andre fight but I’ve seen david heath fight and on that note I’m going for Andre.
bring back babalu!!!!!!!!!!!
Coincidently I watched the short Guzmao-Mike C fight just last night. Guzmao’s style (based on only one fight) is like a Houston Alexander lite. He looks strong- ferocious striking. Since he’s Brazilian I assume he actually has some Jujitsu behind the striking too. He looks like a solid possibility but as we all know- fighters coming from other organizations look a little shakey in their first Octagon appearance so don’t bark at me if the guy gets smoked.
[quote comment=”219807″]bring back babalu!!!!!!!!!!![/quote]
[quote comment=”219807″]bring back babalu!!!!!!!!!!![/quote]
[quote comment=”219807″]bring back babalu!!!!!!!!!!![/quote]
[quote comment=”219807″]bring back babalu!!!!!!!!!!![/quote]
[quote comment=”219807″]bring back babalu!!!!!!!!!!![/quote]
[quote comment=”219807″]bring back babalu!!!!!!!!!!![/quote]
[quote comment=”219807″]bring back babalu!!!!!!!!!!![/quote]
[quote comment=”219807″]bring back babalu!!!!!!!!!!![/quote]
[quote comment=”219807″]bring back babalu!!!!!!!!!!![/quote]
[quote comment=”219807″]bring back babalu!!!!!!!!!!![/quote]
[quote comment=”219807″]bring back babalu!!!!!!!!!!![/quote]
[quote comment=”219807″]bring back babalu!!!!!!!!!!![/quote]
[quote comment=”219807″]bring back babalu!!!!!!!!!!![/quote]
[quote comment=”219807″]bring back babalu!!!!!!!!!!![/quote]
[quote comment=”219807″]bring back babalu!!!!!!!!!!![/quote]
[quote comment=”219807″]bring back babalu!!!!!!!!!!![/quote]
[quote comment=”219807″]bring back babalu!!!!!!!!!!![/quote]
Thinking of babalu vs Heath..Heath’s fight with Andre will pretty much go the same way with just more dangerous strike game of Gusmao.
I wonder when Rolles or Roger Gracie will step into the Octagon??
bitter beer faceeeeeeeee
Screw Stubby Chubby David Heath. Another shitty fight to an already shitty card
UFC 81 only has Brock vs Mir, if Randy doesn’t come back then it’s gonna be the first shitty card for the uFC that year and that’s really early, Feb 2nd.
[quote comment=”219717″]I have never seen andre fight but I’ve seen david heath fight and on that note I’m going for Andre.[/quote]
lol
[quote comment=”219807″]bring back babalu!!!!!!!!!!![/quote]
And Robbie Lawler!!!!!!!!!!
[quote comment=”220023″][quote comment=”219807″]bring back babalu!!!!!!!!!!![/quote]
And Robbie Lawler!!!!!!!!!![/quote]
and Mayhem.
[quote comment=”220023″][quote comment=”219807″]bring back babalu!!!!!!!!!!![/quote]
And Robbie Lawler!!!!!!!!!![/quote]
And Nick Diaz!
[quote comment=”219940″][quote comment=”219807″]bring back babalu!!!!!!!!!!![/quote]
Thinking of babalu vs Heath..Heath’s fight with Andre will pretty much go the same way with just more dangerous strike game of Gusmao.
I wonder when Rolles or Roger Gracie will step into the Octagon??[/quote]
doubt it… Ricardo almeida will represent the gracie’s in the octagon.
[quote comment=”220035″][quote comment=”220023″][quote comment=”219807″]bring back babalu!!!!!!!!!!![/quote]
And Robbie Lawler!!!!!!!!!![/quote]
And Nick Diaz![/quote]
I agree…bring back all three of them…. I dont understand why the UFC ever let them go….and the termination of Bablu’s contract was B.S…it really wasnt that bad.
it really is a shame that babalu isnt in the UFC anymore, im pretty sure shogun wouldnt mind getting a rematch with him to try to avenge an earlier loss. Also tito really ripped babalu after babalu’s 2nd loss to chuck saying that the ufc painted a picture for babalu making everyone think he was good when in reality he really wasnt so tito vs. babalu would be a money maker and it would be nice to see babalu hold tito in a choke for 3 extra seconds !!! so scratch the heath fight and bring back babalu to fight tito.
i think andre will win this one, they should sign big ben as well
[quote comment=”220035″][quote comment=”220023″][quote comment=”219807″]bring back babalu!!!!!!!!!!![/quote]
And Robbie Lawler!!!!!!!!!![/quote]
And Nick Diaz![/quote]
AND Phil Baroni !!!!!!!!
[quote comment=”220076″]i think andre will win this one, they should sign big ben as well[/quote]
and Bart Palaszewski that would be bad bart would destory some ufc lightweights and it would be brutal
the whole babalu thing is a litlle weak alot of fighters have held a choke a little longer than they needed or kept striking a knocked out fighter they just did not admit to it later.
[quote comment=”220194″][quote comment=”220035″][quote comment=”220023″][quote comment=”219807″]bring back babalu!!!!!!!!!!![/quote]
And Robbie Lawler!!!!!!!!!![/quote]
And Nick Diaz![/quote]
AND Phil Baroni !!!!!!!![/quote]
UFC doesnt need Phil “I’m the best EVA” baroniin the octagon. “I am the best, I’m the greatest eva! Baroni, Bushido same thing, I am Bushido” He wanted to fight an American champion, well he has got one tonight…Me” -Baroni (Bushido 7 or 8 pre-interview with his fight against chonan) lol
[quote comment=”220196″][quote comment=”220076″]i think andre will win this one, they should sign big ben as well[/quote]
and Bart Palaszewski that would be bad bart would destory some ufc lightweights and it would be brutal[/quote]
Before “Bartimus” is ready to brutally destroy UFC lightweights…He should first find a way to beat that 19 year old kid Horedecki who is always kicking his ass!! how can you not love the Polish Hammer!! At 19 years of age, he has big things ahead of him in the UFC
David Heath looks an awful lot like Dan Henderson in that picture lol
[quote comment=”220332″]David Heath looks an awful lot like Dan Henderson in that picture lol[/quote]
he you’re right,thats the first thing comes to my mind, haha.
and they’r both “DH” Dan Henderson - David Heath
[quote comment=”219601″]Not a big fan of David Heath, but I like Andre. This will def be an undercard match.[/quote]
i have taken capoeira classes from andre at my gym chelsea piers…in person he is larger than life. he is quick, strong, powerfull individual…with his background in capoeira and other martial arts he is a formidable opponent.