Roman Laurito, former bassist and backing vocalist for rock band Tihuana, decided to pursue a career in martial arts after years of being on the road, and is now a black belt in jiu-jitsu and a commentator for MMA events in Brazil.
Roman Laurito, formerly known as the bassist and backing vocalist for rock band Tihuana in Brazil, has found a new career in martial arts. Born in Argentina, Laurito moved to Brazil at a young age and grew up traveling between Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires. In 1998, Laurito and his friends formed Tihuana, and they achieved success in the early 2000s. However, after years on the road, Laurito decided to pursue his passion for fighting and became a black belt in jiu-jitsu, with training in other martial arts such as taekwondo, kung fu, and karate.
Now 52 years old, Laurito is involved in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA). He created an MMA radio show in the early 2010s which was successful, and he later became a color commentator for smaller MMA events in Brazil and overseas. After almost a year of working with Bandsports, Laurito finally had the opportunity to be a commentator for a UFC event in Sao Paulo. He expressed his admiration for MMA athletes and their dedication, emphasizing that this sport requires immense focus and discipline.
Laurito is a fan of several MMA fighters, including Fedor Emelianenko, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Wanderlei Silva, Demian Maia, and his “master” Fabio Nascimento. He also spoke highly of Paulo Thiago’s walkout during UFC 134 in 2011, considering it the greatest walkout in UFC history. Despite UFC Sao Paulo not being as stacked as previous events, Laurito sees promise in the lineup, particularly in fighters like Vitor Petrino and Gabriel Bonfim. He believes that this event will showcase the new generation of talent in the sport and has high expectations for their performances.
Discussing the headliner fight between Jailton Almeida and Derrick Lewis, Laurito recognizes Almeida’s potential and unique style, comparing him to Khabib Nurmagomedov. He believes that Almeida has a clear path to heavyweight contention and could potentially earn a title shot depending on his performance in this fight. Although Lewis is a dangerous opponent, Laurito views Almeida as the favorite and expresses excitement for the potential outcome.
In conclusion, Laurito, a former musician turned commentator, has found fulfillment in his love for fighting and become involved in the world of MMA. He appreciates the dedication and skill of MMA athletes and is enthusiastic about the upcoming UFC Sao Paulo event, which he believes will showcase promising talent.