If you're looking to wager on the International Fight League's Toronto Dragons, your best bet may very well be Wagnney Fabiano (Pictures). The Brazilian's bout with Erik Owings (Pictures) this Saturday at the Las Vegas Hilton marks his third contest in the IFL's lightweight division.
"I've known him for four years," Fabiano told Sherdog.com. "We trained together in Canada and he called on me to be his alternate at 155-pounds, but the team's lightweight hurt himself, so I have held the roster spot ever since."
The Brazilian disclosed that he does not have an easy time in the training sessions with his experienced trainer and affirms that he's doing well in all phases of the game.
"We train this way together and the training sessions are always good." Fabiano said. "We train boxing, jiu-jitsu and wrestling. The training for this bout was very intense."
About his adversary, Erik Owings (Pictures), Fabiano explained that he knows something about him, therefore, he will not be surprised in the ring on Saturday.
"Like me, he's a jiu-jitsu black belt," Fabiano started. "He's a tough guy, but I'm prepared to win this war and go three rounds if need be."
Focusing on the Pitbulls, who will stand across the ring from the Toronto-based squad, Fabiano expects a very balanced dispute from the Renzo Gracie (Pictures)-led franchise.
Beyond possessing diverse famous Brazilian fighters as "Pe De Pano" Marcio Cruz (Pictures) and Delson Heleno (Pictures), Fabiano stated, "I think that the Pitbulls are one of the strongest teams in the IFL … all the fights will be very hard and the fact that Renzo is leading them makes a lot of difference. But we are all well prepared and only Saturday night will we see what happens. It will be my Las Vegas debut, so I want to leave with the victory, on behalf of Jesus."
A showdown between Rafael Feijão and Cruz certainly grabbed the attention of Fabiano, who of course bet on his teammate Feijão.
"His performance in his debut was perfect," Fabiano said. "I know that ‘Pe de Pano' will show up well trained for this bout, but I bet all my money on Feijao."
Saturday in Nevada Fabiano shoots for his seventh victory in eight professional bouts -- not bad for a guy who left Brazil to expand the flag of Brazilian jiu-jitsu in Canada, a country that received him very well.
"I have lived here in Toronto for nine years, and it is a wonderful city," he said. "I only have good things to say about Toronto and this country; they received me as if I was their son. I want to represent them in the best possible way. Canada is one of the greatest countries that I know of and I live here with my wife Rachel and my 4-year-old daughter, Joy Melody. I spend most of my time with my princesses and they are always stimulating me and pushing me."
Fabiano confessed that he fells very grateful for the chance and opportunity to represent Carlos Newton (Pictures)'s team in an event that's constantly growing.
"To fight in IFL is very cool," Waggney commented. "Never had I imagined that I could have all this success. I'm going to this fight to give the best of me, because I trained a lot to do it. I'm very honored to be not only part of this event, but of my team."