Antonio Cesar's Nine-Fight Streak Faces Its Biggest Test Yet at ONE Fight Night 48
Antonio Cesar's quick win over a seasoned fighter established him as a contender overnight. Now, he'll prove if that rise was legitimate.
The Brazilian fighter returns to the flyweight division to face Joshua Perreira, a protégé of Matt Brown, at ONE Fight Night 48. The event streams live in U.S. primetime from Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, October 2. This is Cesar's second appearance in ONE Championship. He secured a unanimous decision against Lito Adiwang in July, stepping in on short notice. That victory extended his overall record to 14-2 and marked his ninth consecutive win.
Cesar attributes his disciplined winning streak to two key figures: his mother, who raised eight children alone in Manaus, Brazil, and his initial taekwondo coach.
“My mother instilled strong discipline, as did my first taekwondo coach. Together, they shaped my character, my habits, and my mindset,” he stated.
Perreira Brings Perfect Record into His First True Test
Perreira enters the fight with an undefeated 6-0 record. His notable win includes a 38-second spinning backfist knockout of Gilbert Nakatani earlier this year. However, this marks his first significant challenge since his promotional debut ended in a no-contest following ACL surgery. Whichever fighter's streak ends will see their stock decline in a flyweight division already packed with promising undefeated athletes.
Cesar turned professional at 17, becoming a three-time Mr. Cage Flyweight Champion before joining ONE Championship. He described his motivation:
“I embraced this sport for the lifestyle, not for fame or money. I enjoy training, preparing, and winning. Consistent wins allow me to support those around me and improve my life, my wife's life, and my family's life.”
English Translation and Rewritten Text:
Antonio Cesar’s rapid victory against a veteran fighter transformed him from a newcomer into an instant contender. Now, he faces a crucial test to validate that leap.
The Brazilian fighter is set to compete again in the flyweight division against Joshua Perreira, a fighter trained by Matt Brown, at ONE Fight Night 48. The event will be broadcast live in U.S. primetime from Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, October 2. This bout marks Cesar's second appearance in ONE Championship. In July, he stepped in on short notice and earned a unanimous decision win over Lito Adiwang, boosting his professional record to 14-2 and extending his winning streak to nine straight fights.
Cesar credits two individuals above all for fostering the discipline behind his winning streak: his mother, who single-handedly raised eight children in Manaus, Brazil, and his first taekwondo instructor.
“My mother made me a very disciplined person, and so did my first taekwondo coach. The combination of the two shaped my character, my habits, and my mindset,” he explained.
Perreira Enters His First True Test with an Undefeated Record
Perreira comes into the fight with a perfect 6-0 record. A highlight of his career was a 38-second spinning backfist knockout of Gilbert Nakatani earlier this year. However, this fight represents his first significant challenge since his promotional debut resulted in a no contest after ACL surgery. The fighter whose streak is broken will see their standing diminish in a flyweight division already featuring numerous undefeated prospects.
Cesar’s journey to this point has been significant. He began his professional career at 17 and became a three-time Mr. Cage Flyweight Champion before being signed by ONE Championship.
“I fell in love with it because of the lifestyle, not fame or money. I like training, preparing, and winning. If I keep winning, I can help the people around me and change my life, my wife’s life, and my family’s life,” he shared.
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