IVC 5: The Night ‘Pele’ Launched the Chute Boxe Era

Considered the realest vale tudo event of the modern era, the International Vale Tudo Championship (IVC) promoted by Sergio Batarelli was known for its trademark eight-man tournaments, bringing together the very best Brazilian and American fighters, representing muay Thai, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu or luta livre.

Among the 13 editions of IVC promoted by Batarelli, none had a bracket as balanced and bloody as the middleweight tournament at IVC 5, who took place on April 26, 1998 in the auditorium of the luxurious Melia Hotel Sao Paulo. Among the participants were Brazilians Jorge Pereira (BJJ), Jose Landi-Jons (muay Thai/Chute Boxe), Johil de Oliveira (luta livre/Budokan), Milton Bahia…