‘The Possibilities Are Endless’ – Antonio Cesar, Joshua Perreira Break Down Flyweight MMA Clash At ONE Fight Night 48
Two dangerous mixed martial artists with tremendous momentum will collide at ONE Fight Night 48: Erdogan vs. Elliott, as Joshua “Flyin Hawaiian” Perreira meets Antonio “The Flash” Cesar in a contest that will push the victor closer to a crack at the ONE Flyweight MMA World Title.
The pivotal MMA battle goes down live in U.S. primetime from the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, October 2.
Perreira brings a perfect 6-0 (1 NC) professional record with a 100 percent finishing rate into the matchup. The 29-year-old American returned from a serious knee injury in spectacular fashion earlier this year, knocking out Gilbert Nakatani with a spinning backfist in just 38 seconds.
Cesar presents a significant step up in competition. The 22-year-old Brazilian owns a 14-2 record and rides a nine-bout winning streak, including a commanding unanimous decision victory over longtime ONE veteran Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang in his promotional debut this past July.
Interestingly, Perreira was originally scheduled to face Adiwang before an injury forced him to withdraw from the tilt. Cesar stepped into his place, defeated the Filipino standout, and now finds himself matched up with the undefeated Hawaiian he effectively replaced.
Perreira Sees ‘Endless’ Possibilities Against Cesar
Perreira has no shortage of respect for the man standing across from him.
Cesar brings considerably more professional experience into the flyweight MMA tilt and has built his winning streak with a versatile style that allows him to effortlessly transition between striking and grappling.
But that versatility is exactly what excites the “Flyin Hawaiian.”
Perreira told onefc.com:
“Antonio is a very tough striker, a creative striker, and a young up-and-comer from Brazil. I know I’m a creative striker, and I know I’m going up against somebody like this, somebody who has a very similar style to me in some ways. I believe he was a national-level taekwondo champion. He’s also a black belt in jiu-jitsu and just an all-around creative, nasty fighter.
“I look forward to making the ring as small as possible against him, taking away his reach, taking away his kicks, and neutralizing his grappling.”
Perreira has worked diligently under his head coach, the legendary Matt Brown, at Immortal Martial Arts Center in Ohio and has spent considerable time with Dante Leon‘s team at Adamas Jiu-Jitsu, training closely with Brad Schneider. That has helped him think through the grappling exchanges that could unfold if the Brazilian rising star changes levels.
Rather than viewing Cesar’s ground game simply as something to survive, the Hawaiian warrior sees numerous opportunities to counter, scramble, reverse positions, and create attacks of his own.
That mindset reflects the unpredictable style that has already produced six finishes in six professional victories.
He explained:
“What happens when he shoots for a takedown, and I snag a crucifix from his back and take away his base? Or what if he shoots, I roll, and I threaten with an omoplata? What if I shoot up an armbar? What if I funk-roll if he’s on top?
“The possibilities are endless. It’s just off how I’m able to take advantage of the situation. I’m not going to jump on a technique recklessly. I’m definitely not jumping a guillotine just for the sake of it. I’m going for position over submission.”
That creativity extends to Perreira’s prediction. His most recent victory came from a spinning backfist, but the American does not appear committed to reproducing another single-shot highlight.
Instead, he pictures hurting Cesar against the ropes and allowing the finish to develop naturally from there.
Perreira said:
“I think, as he’s circling out, it’ll be a right or a left hook if he circles to either side up against the ropes. I’ll shift forward to another stance. I’ll catch him with that hook. I think it’ll stumble him, not necessarily knock him out, but I see it hurting him to the point where I follow him to the ground.
“If he’s able to defend my strikes, I’m going to try to establish a solid position, rain shots down, and if the submission – whatever that may be – presents itself, I will secure it. And like a vice grip, I will get him.”
Should Perreira emerge victorious, it would undoubtedly place him in the top tier of the division and could lead to matches with the biggest names in the weight class.
The Hawaiian isn’t sure if a spectacular win would be enough to secure the next crack at ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Avazbek Kholmirzaev, but at the very least, he hopes it could pave the way for an encounter with the former titleholder, Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu.
He said:
“I think that’d be fantastic, even more of a step up in competition. He’s an elusive striker with solid grappling. And a win over him would cement me as next in line for the title.
“Who knows? I’m just happy to be doing what I love, being a complete martial artist and showing my skills on the world stage.”
Cesar Believes He Holds The Advantage Everywhere
Cesar has studied the danger posed by an opponent who has never needed the judges in his professional career.
Perreira owns four knockout victories and two submissions, with his unusual movement and explosive attacks making him difficult to read.
“The Flash” readily acknowledges that unpredictability, particularly Perreira’s ability to suddenly land something damaging. But he also sees an area where he believes the unbeaten American can be exploited.
Cesar said:
“He is a good fighter. It’s no coincidence that he is undefeated in professional MMA. Our styles are a little different. My style depends on how the fight is going. I can go from striking to jiu-jitsu or vice versa.
“I believe it’s his somewhat awkward style and his ability to land a big shot. I believe his strengths are his punches and some of his kicks. His weakness would be the grappling.”
That assessment creates one of the matchup’s most fascinating questions.
Perreira believes he has numerous answers if Cesar initiates the grappling, while the Brazilian phenom views that same phase of the fight as a potential weakness to attack. And the young gun’s confidence is not limited to what happens on the canvas.
Cesar offered:
“I believe I’m better both in striking and on the ground. I move a lot, use a lot of feints, keep my game more structured, and don’t waste positions.
“This time, I’m going to bring more aggression and good Muay Thai.”
The Brazilian also has reason to believe another impressive performance could change his standing in the division quickly.
Cesar accepted his promotional debut against Adiwang with only a month to prepare and neutralized the experienced Filipino across three rounds.
Now, taking out an undefeated opponent with a 100 percent finishing rate would give “The Flash” another significant result as he looks toward the upper echelon of the flyweight MMA division.
In fact, he has already set an ambitious timeline for himself:
“I hope it puts me on the radar alongside the names that will soon be fighting for the belt. Next year, I want to fight for the title.”
