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{{short description|Brazilian mixed martial arts fighter}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox martial artist
| name = Júnior Assunção
| other_names =
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name = Cleuder Ferreira Assunção Júnior
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1981|6|24}}
| birth_place = [[Recife]], Brazil
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_cause =
| residence =
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=9}}
| weight = {{convert|143.1|lb|kg st|abbr=on}}
| weight_class = [[Welterweight (MMA)|Welterweight]] [[Lightweight (MMA)|Lightweight]] [[Featherweight (MMA)|Featherweight]]
| reach_in = 71
| reach_footnote = <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/junior-assuncao |title=Junior Assuncao's Official Tapology Profile |author=Tapology.com Staff |accessdate=14 July 2014 |publisher=tapology.com}}</ref>
| style =
| stance =
| fighting_out_of = [[Atlanta, Georgia]], United States
| team = Ascension MMA
| rank = ''Black belt in [[Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu]]'' ''Black rope in [[Capoeira]]''
| years_active = 2004-2018
| mma_kowin = 4
| mma_subwin = 7
| mma_decwin = 5
| mma_koloss = 1
| mma_subloss = 2
| mma_decloss = 4
| mma_draw =
| mma_nc =
| url =
| sherdog = 10380
| footnotes =
| updated =
}}

'''Cleuder Ferreira Assunção Júnior''' (born 24 June 1981), known as simply '''Júnior Assunção''', is a Brazilian [[mixed martial arts|mixed martial artist]] who formerly competed in the [[Lightweight (MMA)|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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mixedmartialarts.com/mma.cfm?go=stats.fightCard&eid=C32C3300-20AA-47CD-A51C-0B5A63FD0418#fight_19367 |title=International Sport Combat Federation: May Madness in Midtown Official Results |author=Staff |accessdate=14 July 2014 |publisher=mixedmartialarts.com}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mixedmartialarts.com/mma.cfm?go=stats.fightCard&eid=7764958C-CD8E-4B73-A030-7427230D72F7#fight_23745 |title=Submission Fighting Open 10 Official Results |author=Staff |accessdate=14 July 2014 |publisher=mixedmartialarts.com}}</ref>

===Ultimate Fighting Championship===
With a 4–1 record, Assunção signed with the [[Ultimate Fighting Championship|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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/1473-ufc-64-kurt-batman-pellegrino-vs-jnior-assuno |title=UFC 64: Kurt "Batman" Pellegrino vs. Junior Assuncao |author=Staff |accessdate=14 July 2014 |publisher=tapology.com}}</ref> In his next fight in the promotion, Assunção faced David Lee at [[UFC 70]] on 21 April 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mmajunkie.com/2007/03/ufc-70-fight-card-finalized-with-10-bouts |title=UFC 70 Fight Card Finalized with 10 Bouts |author=MMAJunkie.com Staff |date=14 March 2007 |accessdate=14 July 2014 |publisher=mmajunkie.com}}</ref> He won the fight via rear-naked choke.

Assunção then faced [[Nate Diaz]] at [[UFC Fight Night 11]] on 19 September 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mmajunkie.com/2007/07/diazs-camp-confirms-nate-diaz-vs-junior-assuncao-bout |title=Diaz's Camp Confirms Nate Diaz vs. Junior Assuncao Bout |author=MMAJunkie.com Staff |date=19 July 2007 |accessdate=14 July 2014 |publisher=mmajunkie.com}}</ref> 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 (U.S. state)|Florida]] based promotion [[Xtreme Fighting Championships]]. He faced John Mahlow for the [[Xtreme Fighting Championships#Current champions|XFC Lightweight Championship]] at [[XFC#History|XFC 10: Night of Champions]] on 19 March 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.adcombat.com/news/2010-03-17/junior-assuncao-fights-john-mahlow-jason-woods-faces-jarrod-card-xfc-titles-friday-h |title=Junior Assuncao fights John Mahlow, Jason Woods faces Jarrod Card for XFC titles Friday on HDNet |author=Keith Mills |accessdate=14 July 2014 |publisher=adcombat.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715075739/http://www.adcombat.com/news/2010-03-17/junior-assuncao-fights-john-mahlow-jason-woods-faces-jarrod-card-xfc-titles-friday-h |archive-date=15 July 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> He won the fight via guillotine choke, and vacated the championship to drop down in weight class and re-sign with the [[Ultimate Fighting Championship|UFC]].

===Return to UFC===
In 2011, Assunção re-signed with the [[Ultimate Fighting Championship|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.<ref name="UFC 135">{{cite web |last=Stupp |first=Dann |title=UFC 135 preliminary-card results: Ferguson breaks Riley's jaw, Boetsch cruises |url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/25389/ufc-135-preliminary-card-results-ferguson-breaks-rileys-jaw-boetsch-cruises.mma |work=MMAJunkie.com |accessdate=25 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926062706/http://mmajunkie.com/news/25389/ufc-135-preliminary-card-results-ferguson-breaks-rileys-jaw-boetsch-cruises.mma |archivedate=26 September 2011}}</ref>

Assunção faced [[Ross Pearson]] on 30 December 2011 at [[UFC 141]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mmaweekly.com/twitter-exchange-helps-make-junior-assuncao-vs-ross-pearson-at-ufc-141 |title=Twitter Exchange Helps Make Junior Assuncao vs. Ross Pearson at UFC 141 |publisher=mmaweekly.com |date=31 October 2011}}</ref> He lost the fight via unanimous decision and was subsequently released from the promotion.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fightline.com/fl/news/2012/0123/547135/ |title=UFC Cuts Junior Assuncao After Loss To Ross Pearson |author=Dana Becker |date=23 January 2012 |publisher=fightline.com}}</ref>

===Post-UFC career===
Following his second release from [[Ultimate Fighting Championship|UFC]], Assunção faced Guilherme Faria for the PFC Featherweight Championship at PFC 2 on 13 September 2013. He won the fight via kimura.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/106882-premium-fc-2-jnior-assuno-vs-guilherme-faria |title=Premium FC 2: Junior Assuncao vs. Guilherme Faria |author=Staff |accessdate=14 July 2014 |publisher=tapology.com}}</ref>

Assunção faced Alejandro Rodriguez at XFC International 5 on 7 June 2014. He won the fight via unanimous decision.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2014/6/8/5791752/xfci-results-videos-four-tournament-winners-crowned-in-brazil |title=XFCi results, videos: Four tournament winners crowned in Brazil |author=Guilherme Cruz |date=8 June 2014 |accessdate=14 July 2014 |publisher=mmafighting.com}}</ref>

==Championships and accomplishments==
===Mixed martial arts===
*'''[[Xtreme Fighting Championships]]'''
**[[Xtreme Fighting Championships#Current champions|XFC Lightweight Championship]] (One time)
*'''Premium Fight Championship'''
**PFC Featherweight Championship (One time, current)

==Mixed martial arts record==
{{MMArecordbox
| draws=
| nc=
| ko-wins= 4
| ko-losses= 1
| sub-wins= 7
| sub-losses= 2
| dec-wins= 5
| dec-losses= 4
| dq-wins=
| dq-losses=
| other-wins=
| other-losses=
}}
{{MMA record start}}
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 16–7
|[[Arman Tsarukyan]]
| Decision (unanimous)
| MFP 220: Mayor's Cup 2018
| {{dts|2018|May|26|format=dmy}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| [[Khabarovsk]], Russia
|[[Lightweight (MMA)|Lightweight]] bout.
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 16–6
| Adam Townsend
| TKO (knee injury)
| Art of War 18
| {{dts|2016|July|30|format=dmy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:49
| [[Beijing]], China
|[[Welterweight (MMA)|Welterweight]] debut.
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 16–5
| Mauricio dos Santos Jr.
| TKO (head kick)
| [[Xtreme Fighting Championships#XFCi - XFC International 13: Assuncao vs. Dos Santos Jr.|XFC International 13]]
| {{dts|2015|December|5|format=dmy}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 3:51
| São Paulo, Brazil
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 15–5
| Alejandro Solano Rodriguez
| Decision (unanimous)
| [[Xtreme Fighting Championships#XFCI - XFC International 5: Solano vs. Assuncao|XFC International 5]]
| {{dts|2014|June|7|format=dmy}}
| align=center| 5
| align=center| 5:00
| [[Osasco]], São Paulo, Brazil
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 14–5
| Guilherme Faria de Souza
| Submission (kimura)
| Premium FC 2
| {{dts|2013|September|13|format=dmy}}
| align=center| 4
| align=center| 2:05
| [[Campinas]], São Paulo, Brazil
| {{small|Won the PFC Featherweight Championship.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mixedmartialarts.com/mma.cfm?go=stats.fightCard&eid=93FBEFBB-3CBD-4AB7-BFA6-B5235764FFFB#fight_268669 |title=Premium Fight Championship 2 Official Results |author=Staff |accessdate=14 July 2014 |publisher=mixedmartialarts.com}}</ref>}}
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 13–5
| [[Ross Pearson]]
| Decision (unanimous)
| [[UFC 141]]
| {{dts|2011|December|30|format=dmy}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| [[Las Vegas, Nevada]], United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 13–4
| Eddie Yagin
| Decision (unanimous)
| [[UFC 135]]
| {{dts|2011|September|24|format=dmy}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| [[Denver, Colorado]], United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 12–4
| Wesley Murch
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Recife FC 4
| {{dts|2011|March|31|format=dmy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 5:00
| [[Recife]], Brazil
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 11–4
| Mark Miller
| KO (punch)
| Recife FC 3
| {{dts|2010|December|3|format=dmy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:03
| [[Recife]], Brazil
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 10–4
| John Mahlow
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| [[XFC#History|XFC 10: Night of Champions]]
| {{dts|2010|March|19|format=dmy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:02
| [[Tampa, Florida]], United States
| {{small|Won vacant [[XFC#Current champions|XFC Lightweight Championship]].}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 9–4
| Peter Grimes
| Decision (split)
| ShineFights 2
| {{dts|2009|September|4|format=dmy}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| [[Miami, Florida]], United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 8–4
| Kamrin Naville
| Decision (unanimous)
| [[2009 in King of the Cage#KOTC: Invincible|KOTC: Invincible]]
| {{dts|2009|March|27|format=dmy}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 3:00
| [[Atlanta, Georgia]], United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 7–4
| Kalvin Hackney
| Decision (unanimous)
| Wild Bill's Fight Night 17
| {{dts|2008|Nov|08|format=dmy}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| [[Atlanta, Georgia]], United States
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 6–4
| Torrance Taylor
| Decision (unanimous)
| American Fight League: Bulletproof
| {{dts|2008|May|30|format=dmy}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| [[Atlanta, Georgia]], United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 6–3
| Steve Sharp
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| American Fight League: Erupption
| {{dts|2008|March|7|format=dmy}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 4:26
| [[Lexington, Kentucky]], United States
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 5–3
| [[Nate Diaz]]
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| [[UFC Fight Night 11]]
| {{dts|2007|September|19|format=dmy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:10
| [[Las Vegas, Nevada]], United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 5–2
| David Lee
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| [[UFC 70]]
| {{dts|2007|April|21|format=dmy}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 1:55
| [[Manchester]], England
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 4–2
| [[Kurt Pellegrino]]
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| [[UFC 64|UFC 64: Unstoppable]]
| {{dts|2006|October|14|format=dmy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 2:04
| [[Las Vegas, Nevada]], United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 4–1
| Scott Hope
| TKO (punches)
| International Sport Combat Federation: Knuckle Up 4
| {{dts|2006|April|28|format=dmy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:43
| [[Kennesaw, Georgia]], United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 3–1
| [[Dustin Hazelett]]
| TKO (punches)
| Full Throttle 3
| {{dts|2005|July|15|format=dmy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:27
| [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 2–1
| Danny Payne
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Full Throttle 2
| {{dts|2005|June|3|format=dmy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:50
| [[Atlanta, Georgia]], United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 1–1
| Will Bradford
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| International Sport Combat Federation: Compound Fracture 2
| {{dts|2005|February|4|format=dmy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:55
| [[Atlanta, Georgia]], United States
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 0–1
| Andrew Chappelle
| Decision (unanimous)
| International Sport Combat Federation: Fight Party
| {{dts|2004|April|23|format=dmy}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 3:00
| [[Atlanta, Georgia]], United States
|
{{end}}

==Amateur mixed martial arts record==
{{MMArecordbox
|ko-wins=0
|ko-losses=0
|sub-wins=2
|sub-losses=0
|dec-wins=0
|dec-losses=0
}}
{{MMA record start}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 2–0
| Brendan Dumont
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| International Sport Combat Federation: Submission Fighting Open 10
| {{dts|2004|February|6|format=dmy}}
|align=center| 1
|align=center| N/A
|[[Macon, Georgia]], United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 1–0
| Scotty Johnson
| Submission (armbar)
| International Sport Combat Federation: May Madness
| {{dts|2003|May|17|format=dmy}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|N/A
|[[Atlanta, Georgia]], United States
|
{{end}}

==See also==
* [[List of male mixed martial artists]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{UFC|junior-assuncao}}
* {{Sherdog}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Assuncao, Junior}}
[[Category:1981 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Brazilian male mixed martial artists]]
[[Category:Brazilian practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu]]
[[Category:Brazilian capoeira practitioners]]
[[Category:Brazilian emigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:Featherweight mixed martial artists]]
[[Category:Lightweight mixed martial artists]]
[[Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing capoeira]]
[[Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu]]
[[Category:People awarded a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Recife]]
[[Category:Martial artists from Pernambuco]]
[[Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters]]
[[Category:21st-century Brazilian sportsmen]]

Júnior Assunção - Revision history

imported>SchlurcherBot: Bot: http → https