Antonio Carlos Jr., widely recognized for his exceptional jiu-jitsu, is preparing to compete in the 2025 PFL light heavyweight grand prix. While his grappling remains his primary strength, the fighter known as “Shoeface” is committed to showcasing his developed striking abilities as he kicks off his campaign against Karl Moore in Orlando.
With a significant number of his victories coming by way of submission, Carlos Jr.`s ground game is undeniable. He acknowledges Moore`s strategic approach and physical strength, noting that while his opponent may not possess standout elite skills, his consistency makes him a dangerous competitor in the challenging tournament format.
Despite his confidence in his ground advantage, the American Top Team representative plans to utilize a more well-rounded strategy. He intends to move actively and target Moore`s weaknesses, seeing jiu-jitsu as a powerful tool for achieving a submission victory, but stresses the importance of not being predictable or one-dimensional.
Carlos Jr. believes he can effectively trade strikes and maintain distance, suggesting his stand-up game might even surpass Moore`s. He remains acutely aware of the inherent dangers in the light heavyweight division, where any strike can change the fight`s outcome.
Reflecting on Moore`s history, Carlos Jr. points out that the Irish fighter has limited experience against elite jiu-jitsu practitioners, with Paul Craig being the notable exception who secured a submission win against him years ago. He feels Moore hasn`t faced grappling of his caliber and that previous ground encounters for Moore, like the close fight with Alex Polizzi, highlight potential vulnerabilities. Carlos Jr. recognizes Moore`s decent cardio and forward pressure but insists on staying alert to prevent being stalled.
Advancing past Moore would position Carlos Jr. to face the winner of the Karl Albrektsson vs. Simeon Powell quarterfinal. The other side of the bracket features tough contenders like Phil Davis, Rob Wilkinson, Marcelo Nunes, and Sullivan Cauley, all vying for the grand prix title and the associated prize.
Carlos Jr. is eager to prove himself and move closer to his objective of securing another championship belt by year-end. He feels the PFL`s frequent fight schedule suits him well, particularly because his relatively low weight cut compared to some heavier light heavyweights makes the turnaround between bouts more manageable, despite being one of the smaller athletes in the division.