LYOTO MACHIDA

By Ed Preuss for MMA Sports. Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.

Lyoto Machida will put his unbeaten 13-0 MMA record on the line at UFC 94 against undefeated Thiago Silva. Since entering the UFC, Machida has left all opponents confused with his fighting style and Tito Ortiz, Rameau Sokoudjou, Kazuhiro Nakamura, David Heath and Sam Hoger are some of the fighters who have fallen as he continues to rise through the UFC light heavyweight division. MMA Sports caught up with him to discuss his next fight and discuss his thoughts about a title fight.

MMA Sports - Lyoto, can you tell us a little bit about your training to fight Thiago Silva?
Lyoto Machida - I have been training for this fight long ago. To be honest I started my training in last September and right now I am in the final phase of this training. I am working on my stamina and some technical details. My brother and father help me everyday, also with my physical trainer. We are now studying Silva's game to trace an efficient strategy to defeat him.

MMA Sports - Can you share with us your plans?
Lyoto Machida - Not at all (laughs), but I can tell you I am focused to fight on the feet and show him my karate. I intend to take him down with karate. I try to be as complete as I can be in the octagon and I do have to use what I do have best, which is the standing game.

MMA Sports - But Silva also promised to fight on the feet too…Do you have some special move against him?
Lyoto Machida - As I said, we study the opponent and I take nearly three months to build a strategy. I watch his fights, analyze where he does like to play and I focus on his mistakes. So that way I have some advantage and also don't get surprised during the fight. Knowing my opponent is the fist move of this battle.

MMA Sports - Some Brazilian fighters do not like to fight country mates. What do you think about that?
Lyoto Machida - I've never chosen any opponent. UFC chooses them to fight me. What they think is better, I am professional and I'll do it. I don't see a problem fighting other Brazilians. I don't take fighting too personal. As I said I am a Professional and my job is fighting…anybody!

MMA Sports - Some people don't like your fighting style and say you do boring matches. What do you say about that?
Lyoto Machida - I think it's just an opinion and I do respect that. I am a professional fighter and my strategy is that. I think in the future people will understand what I mean. It's like Jiu-Jitsu. In the beginning of the UFC, people didn't understand the soft art and considered it boring, but it was needed.

MMA Sports - And at the same time you are doing great with your game...
Lyoto Machida - Exactly. I fight to win and for some people it may be boring. But I can tell you, I leave the octagon with no bruises or scratches. I feel like a ghost that cannot be found. I think my game is working and I have been winning.

MMA Sports - And how is your weight?
Lyoto Machida - Right now I am 97kg, which is my regular weight. When the fight time comes I travel to the US weighting 95kg and lose some before the fight. Then I gain back.

MMA Sports - Weeks ago Dana White stated you have qualities to be one of the best pound for pound fighters in the future. What did you think about that?
Lyoto Machida - I am honored to receive this compliment from Dana. He does understand about fighting and the fighter's goals. He feels in each fighter what is missing, what needs to be improved and I am a fan of his work because of it. And I will keep training to get better and I will never assume I am the best. I know I have been training hard and I am gaining confidence to face my opponents. This is what matters to me.

MMA Sports - Do you think you might get a title shot in case you defeat Thiago Silva?
Lyoto Machida - If I don't get a title shot I will be very close. The division is getting harder and harder and the bouts are getting very intense. I think I am very close to having the chance to fight for the title. But until then, I keep training and fighting. It gives me experience and confidence.

MMA Sports - But are you ready to fight for the title?
Lyoto Machida - I think I deserve a chance to fight for this belt. I have already proved it in the octagon. But this is a UFC decision and I am fine with that. I know my day is coming.

MMA Sports - About your division, is there a specific fighter you would like to fight?
Lyoto Machida - Yes and his name is Rashad Evans. And not because he is the champion, but he is an excellent fighter and I think we would do a great fight.

MMA Sports - Talking about the UFC, what did you think about Rashad Evans vs. Forrest Griffin?
Lyoto Machida - Honestly I thought Forrest would win that match. But fighting is not always a predictable sport. Rashad is a tough fighter and built the right strategy. He knew how to fight the champion and he became dangerous. He was losing that combat, but he remained calm and waited for his chance. When his chance came out he didn't waste it and ended the fight. I think Forrest is a better fighter. He has more resistance and he's also better on the feet. But Rashad played well and it was enough.

MMA Sports - You do also consider yourself a strategist. How to beat Rashad now?
Lyoto Machida - I think Rashad is a complete fighter. He feeds himself in the Wrestling and out of question he deserves to be on the top. But in my opinion I see some things in his game that should be improved. But right now I am focused on Thiago Silva and in this next fight.

THIAGO SILVA

By Ed Preuss for MMA Sports. Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.

Undefeated Thiago Silva is 13-0 and on his way to a title fight and will face Lyoto Machida at UFC 94. With only one fight to ever reach a judges decision, he has had decisive wins over Houston Alexander, Antonio Mendes, Tomasz Drwal and James Irvin. MMA Sports caught up with Thiago Silva as he prepares for his challenge at UFC 93 against Lyoto Machida.

MMA Sports – You are about to fight Lyoto Machida at UFC 94. Tell me your thoughts about that fight?
Thiago Silva - I think it will be a great bout. I am now recovered from injury and have been training hard since the end of November. I think this fight will be a great challenge to prove I am title material.

MMA Sports – You mentioned your injury that made you to postpone the fight with Machida at UFC 89. Can you tell us a little bit what happened?
Thiago Silva - Three months before the fight I felt a horrible pain in my back. It was some nerve and I lost completely my strength in that back zone. I had to stop training and I did some recovery physiotherapy to regain this strength.

MMA Sports - Machida has been doing great things in the UFC. How do you indent to stop him?
Thiago Silva - My plan is too simple. I will not give him any time to breath. I will attack him the whole time. I think he still hasn’t faced such aggressive fighter at UFC as me and I am very confident about this fight. It’s going to end by KO in the very first round. You’ll see.

MMA Sports - His counter attack has surprised lots of opponents...aren’t you concerned about that?
Thiago Silva - As I said before, his opponents attacked him and then stopped. And it’s not going to happen with me. I wanna see how he deals with my aggressiveness. How he reacts when somebody is attacking him straight for five minutes…and during three rounds. I do not under estimate him. In my opinion he is a great fighter, but I believe I may win. I am not joking around. I have my goals at UFC and he is in my way.

MMA Sports - Have you watched Lyoto’s bouts? What have impressed you the most?
Thiago Silva - To be honest I didn’t like his fights too much. In my opinion he runs more than fights. He is not a puncher and he will not KO that easily. He wins by points and its going to be harder for him to use the same strategy against me. I have faced toughest opponents and I believe I will have to use my head before my muscles against him.

MMA Sports - In your Record you fought hard fighters as you said. Which ones do you consider tougher than Lyoto?
Thiago Silva - I tell you right now: Houston Alexander, Tomasz Drwal and James Irvin. In fact UFC only gave me tough fighters and I appreciate it. Those fighters defeated top fighters and I am fighting to keep my way to the title. I want this belt badly and it will be mine.

MMA Sports - In case you defeat Lyoto, tell me about your plans... who is also going to be in your way before fighting for the title?
Thiago Silva - If I beat Lyoto, it will be easier to qualify to a title shot. I haven’t lost yet and I think I deserve a chance in case I win. I think I am ready to fight for the title. Me and my manager Alex Davis talked about that. I think there is no need to wait in case I beat Machida.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with "MINOTAURO" NOGUEIRA

By Ed Preuss for MMA Sports. Photo by Josh Hedges, courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.

MMA Sports caught up with "Minotauro" Nogueira as he prepares to battle Frank Mir at UFC 92. "Minotauro" owns victories over some of the top heavyweights including Tim Sylvia, Heath Herring, Josh Barnett, Fabricio Werdum, Mirko Crocop, Bob Sapp, Mark Coleman and Gary Goodridge.

MMA Sports: Rodrigo, what are you expecting of this next fight with Frank Mir?
Rodrigo Nogueira Minotauro - I have been training hard and I am going to do my best. At this time I will be more aggressive and I will attack him. On the feet and on the floor. My best defense will be my attack and I will take over the center of the octagon and impose my game. I will use my Boxing to control the distance and if the fight goes to the ground I’ll submit him.

MMA Sports: So can we expect from you the same strategy you used in your last fights… studying your opponent in the first round?
Rodrigo Nogueira Minotauro - My idea is ending the fight as soon I can. It’s always nice, but sometimes it’s not possible to achieve it. I always try to be a little cautious in the beginning of the fight because a heavyweights hand is not light and a hard punch in the beginning might be fatal.

MMA Sports: You seem focused for this fight. Fighting Frank Mir, is there a special motivation?
Rodrigo Nogueira Minotauro - I am very focused. I have been living a 100% for this fight. I go straight to train at the gym and them I go home. Since I first stepped in the octagon, when I signed in the UFC, I have been dreaming for the day I’d become champion. In fact I was champion, but the dream was not complete until I had my chance with the champion. So, now UFC has given me the opportunity to fight for the belt…I just need to get Frank Mir and besides he is a dangerous fighter, I will move forward.

MMA Sports: Mir has submitted the current champion, Brock Lesnar…how hard will this fight will be in your opinion?
Rodrigo Nogueira Minotauro - I am sure Mir deserves the chance to fight for the belt. He has proven it already. As I said before he is very strong, explosive and a seriously dangerous fighter. In my opinion he is a complete fighter. He improved his game on the feet, is exchanging better, kicks well too.

MMA Sports: How do you plan to defeat him?
Rodrigo Nogueira Minotauro - I have watched some of his fights and I realized he becomes gassy after the three or four first minutes of the fight. So I believe he is more dangerous during this first round. So I am in better shape than him and I am more experienced also.

MMA Sports: Some people say he has been training to surprise you on the ground…
Rodrigo Nogueira Minotauro - He is not going to submit me. No way man! If he wants a piece of me, I want the same thing also and we are going to solve it in the octagon. This is what’s gonna happen.

MMA Sports: You said UFC has given to you another chance to fight for the belt…what can you say about Fedor? He is out of the question…
Rodrigo Nogueira Minotauro - Well, he is one of the best heavyweight fighters on the world. But I do not lose my sleep thinking about the day I will have another chance to fight him. I am a professional fighter and I have been writing my history in MMA. In each fight I write a new chapter. So if someday we meet in the future, I’ll be ready for him.

MMA Sports: Your guard has been feared for lots of fighters Word-wide... but against Fedor it was not an advantage. Do you agree with that?
Rodrigo Nogueira Minotauro - Yes, in part. To beat Fedor is necessary to fight on the top. It’s one way to defeat him, but my last fight with him belongs to the past and I am sure nowadays if we met I would feel more confident to fight him, even though from below.

MMA Sports: What would you change in your game?
Rodrigo Nogueira Minotauro - I see myself as a complete fighter and prove of that I have the UFC interim belt and I am fighting for “the one”. For me each fight is a chess match. If the opponent gives you a chance to submit him…you enjoy the situation and accomplish it.

MMA Sports: Have you thought about a possible fight against Lesnar?
Rodrigo Nogueira Minotauro - I would lie to you if I say I don’t, but I’d rather be focused to fight Mir. Then we talk about Lesnar.

Shooto Brasil 9: November 29, 2008. Photos and Recap

By Ed Preuss. Photos by Eduardo Ferreira.

The final edition of Brazilian MMA show Shooto Brasil 9 went to a hot special place to celebrate its champions. On November 29, nearly 6,000 people went to the Paulo Serasate, in beautiful Fortaleza, Ceará to check out five title bouts and international challenges involving fighters from Argentina and the United States.

In the main event of the night Brazilians showed his best skills against American Team. In the first fight of the challenge, Nova União lightweight Leo Santos put his Jiu-Jitsu on the side and exchanged punches with Corey Edwards. The American fighter, surprised by the three strong low-kicks applied by the Brazilian black-belt fighter, got no reaction and got KO’d with a high-kick in early round 1.

In the second match of the challenge, Danilo Cherman did a balanced first round with Mike Bonnette. The American defended all of the Brazilians submission attempts in the first round. However in round two, Danilo imposed his game. Applied a beautiful take-down on Bonnette, passed his guard and reached the mount. As the American was defending, Cherman went for the arm-lock and from there submitted Bonnette with a triangle choke.

Supported by the local audience, local fighter Willamy Chiquerim exchanged punches with American Randy Steinke and in his first opportunity, took his opponent to the ground and punished him. Closing the fight with style, the fighter from Fortaleza fixed an anaconda choke to submit his opponent.

Brazil Vs Argentina

The classic duel from Soccer was switched to the ring during this final edition of Shooto. And this time Brazilians overcame their neighbors easily. BJJ brown belt Guybson Sá gave no chance to Argentinean Diego Lopes and used a katagatame to submit his opponent. Then it was time for Vítor Miranda who showed the reason he was called by Mirko Cro Crop to train Muay Thai in Croatia. With sharpen knees he obliged Gustavo Moia to give up the combat.

During the title bouts, Juciê Formiga (Kimura/ Nova União) overcame Maicon Willian (Nocaute Fight) in the -56kg. Dudu Dantas showed he has no opponents in Brazil and gave no chance to Carlos Alberto Betão (RFT), who tapped out.

The second belt went to Renan Barão, who needed three rounds to defeat Alexandre Pinheiro and rule the belt -65kg. During the -76kg title decision, Igor Chatubinha defeated Hernani Perpétuo by referee’s decision and closing the event, André Chatuba submitted Dinarte with an anaconda choke in the first round, taking home the -83kg belt.

Here are the complete results below:


COMPLETE RESULTS:

Shooto Brasil 9
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Paulo Serasate, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil

Super-fight:
- Jamil Silveira (Nocaute Fight) defeated Rivanildo Aranha (Hikari) by unanimous decision.

Title bouts:
-56kg: Juciê Formiga (Kimura/ Nova União) defeated Maicon Willian (Nocaute Fight) by split decision;
-60kg: Dudu Dantas (Nova União) submitted Carlos Alberto Betão (RFT) via armlock in R2;
-65kg: Renan Barão (Kimura/ Nova União) defeated Alexandre Pinheiro (JP Caverna) by TKO in R3;
-76kg: Igor Chatubinha (Minotauro Team) defeated Hernani Perpétuo (Nova União) by split decision;
-83kg: André Chatuba (Minotauro Team) submitted Dinarte (Kimura/ Nova União) by anaconda choke in R1;

Desafio Brasil x Argentina:
- Vitor Miranda (M-13) defeated Gustavo Moia by KO (knee) in R1;
- Guybson Sá (Sá Team/Nova União) submitted Diego Lopes via kata-gatame in R1;

Desafio Brasil x EUA:
- Willamy Chiquerim (Nocaute Fight) submitted Randy Steinke by anaconda choke in R1;
- Danilo Cherman (Nova União) submitted Mike Bonnette by triangle choke in R1;
- Leo Santos (Nova União) defeated Corey Edwards by KO (kick) in R1;

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with MARCUS AURELIO

Interviewed by Ed Preuss for MMA Sports

MMA Sports caught up with Marcus Aurelio to discuss his upcoming fight at UFC 90 with Hermes Franca (click here to read Hermes Franca's response interview) and talk about the tension and dislike between the two fighters.

MMA Sports - How do you feel facing a former teammate inside the Octagon?
Marcus Aurélio - I am a professional fighter, so I don't choose opponents. In natural basis fighting a former teammate would be awkward, but Hermes and I are no friends form a long time and I am ready for this challenge.

MMA Sports - How is your training preparing for the fight?
Marcus Aurélio - It's great! I am doing a great job and I feel good. I am very conditioned and training a lot of Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai and Wrestling. I am doing whatever it takes to give the best in the Octagon.

MMA Sports - Your history with Hermes França comes way before then American Top Team... is true that you brought him to American Top Team?
Marcus Aurélio - Hermes learned Jiu-Jitsu with me since he was a blue belt. He stayed with me until graduate black belt. When I brought him to train in United States, he was a brown belt, years before American Top Team was created. We used to train at Silveira Brother's Marcelo...Conan. In that time with Ricardo Libório we gave Hermes his black belt. After that American Top Team was born and then he integrated the team.

MMA Sports - And what happened next?
Marcus Aurélio - Then after a while he did a lot of bullshit in the team and was sent home. Then we gave him second chance and he spoiled it too. At this time he messed up with Ricardo Libório and was banished from the Team. Then he went to Team Armony, but also screwed things up there too.

MMA Sports - So I assume that was the time the friendship got broken…
Marcus Aurélio - Yes. He left the team and moved with a lot of anger. But I can tell you by that time we weren't friends for a while. In my opinion he does not have the quality when the subject is character. So he got several people upset. I am not afraid to tell nobody in the team likes him. To be honest it’s not only at ATT that França collects enemies.

MMA Sports - What do you mean?
Marcus Aurélio - Some people outside the team offered me help when they knew I would fight him. They called me and said. "Marcus, if you need any kind of help, please let me know... I want to see you kicking his ass".

MMA Sports - Who asked for the fight?
Marcus Aurélio - I didn't. And I believe he didn't either. As far I know, he would fight Brazilian Gleison Tibau, but Tibau got his shoulder hurt and needed surgery. And I was fragile due to my loss at UFC. So ATT owner Dan Lambert advised me about this fight with Hermes and I couldn't say no. So I had to accept and I am going to do my best.

MMA Sports - You both trained together and know the game... what can we expect of this fight?
Marcus Aurélio - Besides being a trouble maker, he is a great fighter. Proof of that he already disputed the belt (fought for the lightweight title). But I am ready for all kinds of situation. I will have no surprises. I know his game on the feet, on the ground...I know how he exchanges punches, his head. My mind is focused to do a 15 minutes bout of pure action. But do not be amazed if the fight ends in the first round.

MMA Sports - You came from Pride as the man who submitted Takanori Gomi, but somehow didn't repeat the good phase at UFC. What happened?
Marcus Aurélio - I can't explain for sure...I kind of froze out. US is very different from Japan when the subject is fighting. Over here, fighters like to score, differently from fighters as Gomi or BJ Penn, who do their best all the time looking forward to ending the fight.

MMA Sports - What do you mean? Could you be more specific?
Marcus Aurélio - Well, Tyson Griffin played his game against Tibau and he used this score system against me. In my opinion, those fighters are limited. They have good Boxing skills, three or four take downs and a lame ground game. That's the reason they use the UFC rules to fake attacks on the ground. They don't play loose…they just hit you once in a while. They kick and take you down to score. But I know I lost…and I got defeated by points.

MMA Sports - Talking about the team, how is ATT nowadays?
Marcus Aurélio - I see ATT as a family. It's the backyard of my home. To be honest I spend more time training in here then staying in my house. And I don't even mention the friends I made in here. You look around and you see fighters as Marcelinho Garcia, Gesias Cavalcante, Thiago Silva, Antônio Pezão, Thiago Pitbull Alves, Gleison Tibau. I am not afraid to tell you nowadays here is the best training camp in the world.

MMA Sports - How is the team after André Benkei's leaving?
Marcus Aurélio - Man, I tell you it was a sad moment. Benkei was the heart and soul of American Top Team. He now is a freelancer and my relationship with him didn't change a thing. I see him as an important part of the group. He is more than a trainer, he is like a father for us. All the guys at American Top Team respect him and wishes for his return… who knows?

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with HERMES FRANCA

Interviewed by Ed Preuss for MMA Sports

MMA Sports caught up with Hermes Franca as a reply to Marcus Aurelio's MMA Sports interview (click here to read) to discuss his upcoming fight at UFC 90 with Marcus Aurelio and talk about the tension and dislike between the two fighters.

MMA Sports Mag - It's obvious you and Marcus Aurélio have some unfinished business to deal. What are you expecting of this fight?
Hermes França - I think Aurélio talks too much, but if he is ready as he was against Clay Guida and Tyson Griffin…I think UFC will see the same movie.

MMA Sports Mag - How did you receive the news you would fight Aurélio?
Hermes França - I was very surprised! I also thought about calling UFC's matchmaker Joe Silva trying to find another opponent. I am fighting an unknown fighter in the US and who did horrible fights in the event. I say all my fights in the UFC were exciting and for several times I received prizes for the best KO or submission of the night. Even when I got defeated my fights were exciting. So I think I should have a chance to fight a better phase athlete. But I thought: What the hell? I will fight him and I don't respect him as a person and I will be well paid to kick his ass. Let's do it!

MMA Sports Mag - And he said he was the one who brought you to train in the US, how did that happen?
Hermes França - It's not true. I came to the United States own my own. Marcus has never brought me to the US. I came through UFC's Wilson Gouveia, who is such a friend and I owe him big time. I came to the US to work. I washed cars for several months, until someday Wilson introduced me to Marcelo Silveira and Conan and I started training. Marcus Aurélio reached ATT through me and Wilson. I even waited for him in the airport and placed him in my house. From there we went to Silveira's Brother’s gym and he started training. I feel very upset with the stuff he made it up.

MMA Sports Mag - So, you and Marcus Aurélio have serious personal issues…
Hermes França - He accuses me of a lot of things, but he forgets he left behind his first teacher Sazinho and left his first team Nova União. He abandoned his gym and pupils in Fortaleza... it's a shame.

MMA Sports Mag - So, you join ATT and then you ended up leaving the team. What is your version of the facts?
Hermes França - Differently of what he said. I've never did bullshit at ATT. I've always did good things for the team. I left because I had a little disagreement with Marcelo Silveira, but then we talked privately after that and it's alright.

MMA Sports Mag - So, after this talk you decided to join the team again?
Hermes França - No. I've never asked for a second chance. In fact I received a call from Ricardo Libório and he told me he would like to have me back and to put behind my disagreement with Silveira. I said yes. I moved on.

MMA Sports Mag - But then something new happened, right?
Hermes França - Yes, in the second time I left because I graduated Kurt Pelegrino to black belt… by that time he was my pupil at Team Armory. I thought he deserved it...not only because of the fights, but because he was a good instructor. He is a great fighter and during a submission event, with his blue belt, defeated Marcus Aurélio. So Libório got upset because I gave Pelegrino the black belt. I didn't understand the reason he got upset. I was a black belt for four years and Kurt was training with me over one year. I considered it fair to graduate him and this created a lot of noise. I warned Libório I wasn't able to take it back because it would create an awkward situation. And it was the beginning of the end. Then Kurt and I left to Team, Team Armory and after a while we decided to create our team. That's it.

MMA Sports Mag - I imagine you are hurt with your old team…
Hermes França - I've never left motivated by anger. At Armory, when I only trained with Kurt and my pupils, I did eight fights and won them all by submission and had a title shot. About my character, I've always been loyal to Silveira's Brothers and they were my family. I shared several unforgettable moments until the arrival of the "spoilt oranges".

MMA Sports Mag - Talking about ATT, how is your relationship with the team?
Hermes França - I got really surprised when Aurélio said nobody liked me anymore. Every time I meet somebody from there we talk normally. I ran into Gleison Tibau, who was my opponent and I didn't realize this indifference. I feel very upset with his words.

MMA Sports Mag - Aurélio also said he received phone calls supporting him to fight you. Did you receive calls also?
Hermes França - I bet he received two or three calls. On the other hand I was very supported by several fighters. I also received an invitation from BJ Penn to help him in his training and accepted. I also received invitations from Spencer Fisher, Joe Stevenson and Billy Rush, who trains Jeremy Horn. But I knew Jeremy would fight Wilson Gouveia and I had to refuse. This is my character man!!!

Just to have an idea…Meanwhile Marcus Aurélio is not welcome in any gym of Fortaleza, I have open doors in many teams and fighters in the US. As Pat Miletich, Dan Henderson, Xtreme Couture, Greg Jackson, Chuck Liddell and others. I also talked to Saulo Ribeiro during a submission tournament and he invited me to train at Universidade do Jiu-Jitsu (Jiu-Jitsu's University). This is like going Disneyland for the first time!

MMA Sports Mag - What do you mean?
Hermes França - I mean... can you imagine training with Diego Sanchez, Jeremy Stephens, Ronaldo Jacaré, Xande Ribeiro, Fabrício Morango, André Galvão, Pablo Popovitch, Brandon Vera and Barret Yoshida? It's just awesome!

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with THIAGO TAVARES

Interviewed by Ed Preuss for MMA Sports. Photo by Josh Hedges, courtesy of Zuffa, LLC

Thiago Tavares entered the UFC as an undefeated fighter having won all 10 fights. His UFC debut win over Naoyuki Kotani and then Jason Black kept his perfect record at 12-0 before suffering his first loss against Tyson Griffin at UFC 76. He bounced back at UFC Fight Night 12 to defeat Michihiro Omigawa to only then suffer his second loss in his career to Matt Wiman. For a chance to redeem himself he is set to face the always tough Kurt Pellegrino this weekend at UFC 88. MMA Sports caught up with Thiago Tavares to get his thoughts on his upcoming fight and previous loss.

MMASPORTS: Do you already have a strategy planned to defeat Kurt Pellegrino?
THIAGO: I do consider our game alike. But it becomes different when the subject is Wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu. My ground game I consider stronger than his, but I have to admit his wrestling is superior. In my opinion, I have better chances to win on the ground and that’s the way I plan to defeat him. This fight will be decided on the ground.

MMASPORTS: You’ve come from a KO loss to Matt Wiman, at UFC 85, are you worried about exchanging punches with Pellegrino?
THIAGO: Well, I don’t see myself worried about exchanging punches, because I am a professional fighter and that loss is just a loss and I need to get over it and show my game. I think Pellegrino and I have similar skills when the subject is exchanging punches. I will do my best at this time. I am betting on my physical conditioning, training a lot of Muay Thai and Boxing. My Jiu-Jitsu is excellent and also I have been training a lot of Grappling. Let’s see what happens…

MMASPORTS: Talking about Wiman...tell us your thoughts about the fight.
THIAGO: I’ve always respected him a lot, but I committed a mistake that was fatal during the fight. I underestimated him for a moment. I thought the fight was under control… I was better than him and relaxed. Inside the octagon you cannot relax! Ever! And I learned that in the hardest way...being punched on the chin and suffering this terrible loss.

MMASPORTS: This fight of course slowed down your path to the title shot… what do you think bout that?
THIAGO: Well, I believe in the case if I had won the fight with Matt Wiman, my situation would be much better now talking about a title shot. I think I might have two or three fights until having a chance to face the champion. The following fight was also already planned, but once I got defeated everything has changed.

MMASPORTS: So, what’s your opinion? How many fights separate you from the title now?
THIAGO: I do not think about the belt right now. One step at a time. Now I am focused to win my next fight. I will do my best to defeat him and then I will keep training harder and harder to the next challenges. I think the lightweight title for me is just a matter of time. And I am living each day and so far I am very happy because I extended my contract with the UFC for another four fights.

MMASPORTS: You hold a great record of 13-2-0. What loss was harder for you to face? Against Matt Wiman or Tyson Griffin at UFC 76?
THIAGO: Well, losing is always a tough thing to deal. Especially for me who until my 12th fight had never loss professionally. So, I don’t think one loss was worst then the other…they happened! I learned a lot from each one…however I’ve never been knocked-out before and this impresses people.

MMASPORTS: You represent Rodrigo Nogueira Minotauro’s team... how is training there?
THIAGO: Besides representing Minotauro Team, I have been training in my born place, Florianópolis, in my own gym. My sparring crew is also here to give me a hand such as Thiago Jambo and Fábio Maldonado, so I do consider I am having great training for this next challenge.