The MMA Digest

Ryo “Piranha” Chonan (14-8-0) 5’9”/170 lbs., fighting out of Yamagata City , Japan is known as “The Pirahna” for his tenacious style in the Octagon. Chonan, 31, is an accomplished veteran in MMA. Owner of wins over UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva, as well as Hayato Sakurai and Carlos Newton, he is looking to get back to his winning ways after a hard-fought battle with welterweight standout Karo Parisyan last November. He gets his chance against a man he defeated on cuts back in 2005, Brazilian contender Roan “Jucao” Carneiro (12-7-0). For three years, Rio De Janeiro , Brazil ’s Carneiro has pursued a rematch with Chonan, waiting for his opportunity to avenge a 2005 loss that has haunted him. In that time, Carneiro’s fight game has grown by leaps and bounds, and he has put together seven wins, including two victories in the UFC over Rich Clementi and Tony De Souza. For this Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, he won’t be able to truly move forward in his career until he gains revenge against “The Piranha.”