Júnior Assunção

Cleuder Ferreira Assunção Júnior (born 24 June 1981), known as simply Júnior Assunção, is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who formerly competed in the Lightweight division. A professional competitor since 2004, he has competed for the UFC, the Xtreme Fighting Championships, and King of the Cage.

Biography
Originally from Northeastern Brazil, Junior grew up in Miami, and now resides in Atlanta. He is also the older brother of Raphael Assunção and Freddy Assunção who also fight as mixed martial artists.

Mixed martial arts career
Junior Assuncāo has earned black belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Capoeira. His professional MMA career has led to extensive training in these disciplines as well as in Boxing, Judo, Muay Thai, and Wrestling. He has trained out of Black House (Casa Preta) gym in Brazil with the likes of MMA powerhouses Anderson Silva and Lyoto Machida.

Junior's martial arts foundation is in Capoeira, a Brazilian fight system characterized by acrobatic sweeps, kicks, and head butts that rely heavily on core strength. Having trained under Mestre Delei for 12 years, Junior credits his success in the combat sports to this discipline. As an instructor, Junior incorporates many techniques from Capoeira, such as agility, balance, and practical strength.

Amateur career
Assunção holds an undefeated 2–0 record as an amateur, and made his debut on 17 May 2003, facing Scotty Johnson at ISCF: May Madness in Midtown. He won the fight via second round armbar. In his next amateur fight, Assunção faced Brendan Dumont at Submission Fighting Open 10 on 6 February 2004. He won the fight via guillotine choke, and would officially turn pro in April 2004.

Ultimate Fighting Championship
With a 4–1 record, Assunção signed with the UFC in late 2006. Assunção faced rising star Kurt Pellegrino at UFC 64 on 14 October 2006. He lost the fight via rear-naked choke. In his next fight in the promotion, Assunção faced David Lee at UFC 70 on 21 April 2007. He won the fight via rear-naked choke.

Assunção then faced Nate Diaz at UFC Fight Night 11 on 19 September 2007. He lost the fight via guillotine choke, and was subsequently released from the promotion

Xtreme Fighting Championships
After posting a 4–1 on the regional circuit, Assunção signed with Florida based promotion Xtreme Fighting Championships. He faced John Mahlow for the XFC Lightweight Championship at XFC 10: Night of Champions on 19 March 2010. He won the fight via guillotine choke, and vacated the championship to drop down in weight class and re-sign with the UFC.

Return to UFC
In 2011, Assunção re-signed with the UFC. He faced promotional newcomer Eddie Yagin in a featherweight bout on 24 September 2011 at UFC 135. Assunção went on to win the fight by unanimous decision.

Assunção faced Ross Pearson on 30 December 2011 at UFC 141. He lost the fight via unanimous decision and was subsequently released from the promotion.

Post-UFC career
Following his second release from UFC, Assunção faced Guilherme Faria for the PFC Featherweight Championship at PFC 2 on 13 September 2013. He won the fight via kimura.

Assunção faced Alejandro Rodriguez at XFC International 5 on 7 June 2014. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Mixed martial arts

 * Xtreme Fighting Championships
 * XFC Lightweight Championship (One time)
 * Premium Fight Championship
 * PFC Featherweight Championship (One time, current)