Legendary Brazilian coach Andre Pederneiras has announced that he’s stepping away from his role as team leader of Nova Uniao after 21 years.
Pedenerneiras, a former UFC fighter in his own right who has gone on to coach Brazilian champions like Jose Aldo and Renan Barao, revealed in a statement on social media that he wants to continue coaching, but will now have time to work with fighters from other teams too.
“It was officially announced today that I’m no longer part of team Nova Uniao, and I wanted to say some words for you here.
The decision to step down as Nova Uniao leader happened after we opened Upper Arena, which has worked as a training center for Nova Uniao for two years.
My idea is to turn Upper Arena in a neutral place for high-level training for athletes from other teams as well, not only Nova Uniao. I want to build the best and biggest martial arts training center of the country, helping the evolution of the sport, and also work on a social side, passing along my knowledge of 30 years dedicated to the sport, both fighting and administrative sides, to those who want to learn.
It was 21 years of many accomplishments and achievements at Nova Uniao, now I intend to invest in other dreams. I know it might seems crazy for some, but I think that everything I’ve done since the beginning seemed crazy. So I count on your support so this new phase is a victorious one. Not only for me, but for the sport and for our country that I love so much.
Pederneiras expanded upon his reasons for stepping aside in an interview with Combate.
“I’m still here at training, giving the same advices to my athletes. But if, for instance, Urijah Faber comes here, I’ll be able to give him the same training, regardless of whether he represents Nova Uniao or not. If the people who are training at that time are bothered, I can just arrange a different time with him, a separate training session.
“Here, I intend to help any type of athlete, make it that he has all the support in training. A jiu-jitsu fighter, for instance, who belongs to a different team and wants to do technical training here.”
