Antonio Carlos Junior is widely recognized for his exceptional grappling skills and will always consider jiu-jitsu his foremost weapon in mixed martial arts. This strategy will be central to his approach when he faces Karl Moore this Thursday night in the first round of the 2025 PFL light heavyweight grand prix in Orlando.
Known as “Shoeface,” Junior has secured submissions in 12 of his 16 professional MMA victories, including five during his time in the UFC. He aims to become the second fighter to make Moore tap out in Moore`s 16-bout pro career.
“He’s very strategic and strong,” Junior commented to MMA Fighting. “He tries to use that in his favor, to put pressure against the cage. I don’t see him with someone with great abilities, but he’s very consistent in everything he does, you know? Guys like that are very dangerous. There are no easy fights in the tournament.”
Despite his grappling foundation, the American Top Team product emphasized he won`t solely rely on taking the fight to the ground and will actively utilize his stand-up skills.
“I believe I have to move around and explore his weaknesses, go to the ground,” Junior explained. “It’s my biggest weapon, of course, and we’ll use jiu-jitsu to get a submission. That will always be my strategy, but I can’t be a one-dimensional guy that will force that at any costs. We’ll move around, trade on the feet, because I even think my striking is better than his. I can maintain the distance better, but he’s dangerous. We’re talking about light heavyweights and you know we have to be alert at all times in this division.”
UFC fighter Paul Craig is the only competitor to have ever submitted Moore in MMA, achieving a guillotine choke victory back in 2015 at BAMMA 22. The Irish light heavyweight rebounded from that loss, capturing the Cage Warriors belt two years later before joining Bellator in 2019, where he earned a shot at the title against Corey Anderson after winning four consecutive fights.
“Shoeface,” however, expressed confidence that his grappling is operating on a higher level.
“He’s never fought anyone with similar jiu-jitsu,” Junior stated. “Only Paul Craig, really, and that was a long time ago. And when he fought a jiu-jitsu guy, he was submitted. He had a close fight with Alex Polizzi, my last opponent, and it could have gone either way. He had a good fight with Corey Anderson. He has good cardio, he moves forward, but I don’t see great skills there. He does things well-done. I have to be alert and not let him stall.”
Should he emerge victorious on Thursday, Junior will advance to face the winner of the quarterfinal bout between Karl Albrektsson and Simeon Powell. The other finalist competing for the $500,000 grand prize will be determined from the matchups involving Phil Davis, Rob Wilkinson, Marcelo Nunes, and Sullivan Cauley.
“I can’t wait to prove myself in that cage and move one step closer to my goal, to end this year with another belt,” Junior remarked. “Doing one fight after the other is good for me because I don’t cut much weight, and I believe heavier guys end up suffering more having to cut weight every two months. It makes things a little bit easier for me, even though I’m one of the smallest guys here.”
Percy Harlow