Other names Dida Height 1.73 m | Nationality Brazilian Weight 70 kg Other name Dida | |
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Team Evolução ThaiKings MMAChute Boxe Academy (formerly) Similar Remigijus Morkevičius, Maurício Rua, Buakaw Banchamek Profiles | ||
André "Dida" Amado (born 9 October 1983) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and Muay Thai kickboxer who has competed in the Japanese promotions Dream and K-1 Hero's.
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He is known for his exciting fighting style, often utilizing flying knees and spinning kicks, as well as his colorful entrances often sporting a mask and dancing his way to the ring. He is the head trainer of Evolução Thai.
Career
Amado made his professional debut in 2004, and started off his career 3-0-1 in his home country of Brazil before making his Japanese debut against future DREAM Featherweight Champion Hiroyuki Takaya for the K-1 Hero's organization. Amado received his first career loss against fellow Brazilian Gesias Calvacante by an armbar submission in the final of the 2007 K-1 Hero's Lightweight Grand Prix Tournament, Calvacante had won the tournament in the previous year as well.
Until late 2007 Amado trained at the Chute Boxe Academy in Curitiba, Brazil and was able to gain a purple belt BJJ under coach Cristiano Marcello during his time there. Amado formerly competed in K-1 HERO'S and entered the DREAM Lightweight Grand Prix, losing in the opening round of the tournament to Eddie Alvarez by first round TKO. He lost his last fight to Katsunori Kikuno at Dream 10 on 20 July 2009. "Dida" most recently faced former EliteXC Lightweight Champion KJ Noons at DREAM.13 at 22 March 2010. He lost via unanimous decision, after being uncharacteristically tentative during the fight, seemingly looking for a more counter-based approach against the Hawaiian fighter.
In March 2014, Dida announced his plans to make a comeback to both MMA and kickboxing. He re-signed with K-1 in May 2014.
Controversy
During the filming of The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3, Amado was brought in as one of the coaches under Wanderlei Silva. During the brawl that broke out between coaches Silva and Chael Sonnen, while the rest of the cast were trying to separate the brawling coaches, Amado joined in the crowd and took the chance to punch Sonnen on the back of the head several times and rip his shirt off. In the aftermath of the brawl, he was filmed bragging to his team about his deeds. UFC president Dana White kicked him off the show after the incident, telling the media that Amado "ought to be arrested" for what he did.
Personal life
On 20 October 2010, Amado was involved in a shooting. Amado and his brother, Mauricio Veio, accepted a ride from a student outside of a popular mixed martial arts gym/academy where Amado had been teaching in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
An argument erupted outside and two stray bullets entered through the back of the vehicle, one grazing the top of Amado's head, later requiring stitches. The other bullet struck a student sitting beside Amado, in the arm. Amado returned to training for his upcoming fight in the K-1 Max Tournament only three days later and has since opened up his own gym in the area.