Goodbye Glaube Feitosa

There was no giant announcement, no press conference, no in-ring salute, but it looks like the career of Glaube Feitosa has come to an end. Various sources have indicated that Feitosa has stepped into the ring for the last time, and will no longer compete.

The longtime veteran made his K-1 debut back in 1999. Already highly respected for his Kyokushin karate background, Feitosa was immediately thrown into deep waters, facing names like Mike Bernardo and fellow Kyokushin expert Andy Hug in his first fights. From the start of his K-1 career, Feitosa consistently fought top names (including a younger Alistair Overeem, who Feitosa knocked out in one round), often struggling to put together a winning record. It wasn't until 2005 that he got his K-1 career firmly on track.

The Brazilian fighter started that year strong with a win over future UFC fighter Cheick Kongo. From there, he entered the K-1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, defeating Dewey Cooper, Carter Williams, and Gary Goodridge to win the title and earn himself a shot at the Grand Prix Finals. In the Final 16, he had the unenviable task of facing Semmy Schilt, and although Glaube lost, he impressed officials enough to earn himself a reserve fight at the Finals. When Glaube won that reserve fight, and Peter Aerts went down to injury, Feitosa stepped up, making the most of his opportunity and getting all the way to the final fight where he was once again defeated by Schilt. Even in defeat, Glaube again impressed, staggering Schilt at one point with his trademark Brazilian kick. Feitosa had another strong showing in 2006, making it to the GP semi-finals before losing to Peter Aerts. In recent years, he has slowed a bit, taking fewer fights, and losing 3 of his last 4, including a pair of tough loses in 2008 to Badr Hari and Errol Zimmerman.

Renowned for that unique Brazilian hook kick, Feitosa has won himself many fans over the years with his knockout power. In 2009, despite having virtually no promotional push behind him, fans voted Glaube into the Final 16 for what appears to have been his final fight, a rematch against Errol Zimmerman that Glaube lost by close split decision.

Since that loss, Feitosa has been focused on his work as a trainer. His last trainee: Shogun Rua, who worked with Glaube in preparation for his fights with Lyoto Machida. Obviously, that turned out quite well. Given Shogun's success, hopefully more fighters will turn to Glaube for guidance in the future.

Never a loud, boisterous "new generation" kind of star, it's fitting that Glaube Feitosa's retirement would come in such a low key manner. And while it's unfortunate he may never compete again, let's hope we get to see him in the corner for many years to come.

one of my favorites...the Brazillian Kick = straight out of a video game

god bless the brazilian kick and the man who trained shogun on to victory!!!

co-fucking sign

WAR GLAUBE