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.

ANTONIO SILVA EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

interviewed Ed Preuss for MMA Sports
photo courtesy of Tom Casino/EliteXC

Standing 6’4” you certainly need to look up when talking to Antonio Pezao Silva. With only one loss on his almost perfect MMA record, the Brazilian giant from Paraíba (Northeaster’s city of Brazil) shared his hard times in England and moments of joy. He talks about the future, how much he looks forward at a chance to fight Russian Fedor Emelianenko and how much he avoids a confrontation with his personal friend Rodrigo Minotauro. Get to know a little more about the American Top Team fighter during this exclusive interview with MMA Sports magazine.

MMA Sports: Tell me about your training at American Top Team?
Antonio Silva: It has been over one year I lived in the United States, training at American Top Team. My manager Alex Davis invited me to join the team and I am glad. We are a complete gym, with a great structure. We have it all, all kinds of training. We have a Wrestling specialist, Boxing, Striker and also we learn Jiu-Jitsu techniques with master Ricardo Libório, who sometimes is like a father for us. I consider American Top Team as the best place for a real champion to be born.

MMA Sports: Tell me more about American Top Team. Why do you think training in there is so different?
Antonio Silva: I believe everything spins around friendship and organization. We care about each other and there is mutual respect. We do not care about how much the other made in the fight or if one of us gets more attention from the media and fans. About the organization, we do have a tight schedule and we take it really serious. So, in my opinion this is the difference between American Top Team and other academies.

MMA Sports: So, what is next for you?
Antonio Silva: Well, I do have a fight scheduled for this July 26, at EliteXC, and it is for the belt.

MMA Sports: If you could choose your opponent, who would be?
Antonio Silva: Well, if I could choose, it would be somebody good, like top ten fighters rank. I have been waiting in line to join this select group and my goal is to see myself in the top three rank.

MMA Sports: There are some awesome Brazilian fighters in this division like Rodrigo Minotauro. In case you fight him, how it would be?
Antonio Silva: Well, this fight has never crossed my mind! Rodrigo Minotauro is a training partner and more that that. He is a personal friend. I’ve faced a bad situation in England with my wife and daughter and he was the one who offered me shelter and took me out of there. I would rather quit fighting than face Rodrigo Minotauro. I wouldn’t be able to close my fist to attack him.

MMA Sports: Could you tell us about this bad situation in England?
Antonio Silva: I was hired to fight five times in England by Brazilian Mario Sucata, who gave me chance to debut abroad. Everything was fine until I got a chance to fight in Japan, at Hero’s. So my old managers got really upset and decided to mess with me, not paying for my last fight. They didn’t pay for the flight tickets and I had no budget to return to Brazil. That happened because I met Aras and signed to fight in Japan. So, was in that time I counted on Aras and Rodrigo Minotauro sheltered me and my family and I am forever grateful.

MMA Sports: And about Fedor Emelianenko? Would you like to fight him now?
Antonio Silva: Which heavyweight wouldn’t? I was very anxious when he left M-1 and rumors said he would fight at Pro Elite. I finally saw us fighting in the ring. But then he signed with other events and this dream got a little farther. However I have an opened contract and in the meantime I don’t have the chance to fight Fedor, I’ll train more and more and fight to get more experience.

MMA Sports: Have you thought of how you would defeat him? Have you thought about a strategy?
Antonio Silva: He is the champion and he is a complete fighter He already showed this before. He proved he is a great fighter on the top and also on the ground. So, I haven’t though about a specific strategy to beat him. It all depends on the fight. As I said before, I am focused in the heavyweight division and I believe someday I’ll have a chance to face him.

MMA Sports: As soon you arrived in United States doctors detected in you some tumor… what was that?
Antonio Silva: Yes, in fact my body produces high levels of some hormone called “GH”, which means growth hormone. So I had no chances but operate and remove the benign tumor, which was responsible for this hormone. Right now I feel good and only stayed out of training for a few months.

MMA Sports: So, lots of people buy hormone to develop muscles and grow and you did the opposite?
Antonio Silva: Yes, kind of funny, right? I wish I was like everybody and needed to increase my physical with hormones, it would be less expensive… but I am glad the surgery was good and after that I have already fought twice and I am living the time of my life.

MMA Sports: How is life in US now? Is it true your wife is pregnant again?
Antonio Silva: In the beginning everything was very hard, pretty much because of the language. But with time things get right, and I am able to feel like home… you know the city you live in. My daughter is already speaking English and it is true. My wife is pregnant again and she will give me the second joy of my life.

MMA Sports: You said your daughter is already speaking English... and you?
Antonio Silva: Oh God! I have to say it’s harder for me. My little daughter says few words in English and I have been here over one year and I am still trying! I confess I do need to practice more, but my time is short out the gym and I rather stay with my family. But I know it is important and that’s why when I am at the gym I try to develop my English skills.

MMA Sports: So, you weight 127kg... is it hard to lose weight to fight at heavyweight division?
Antonio Silva: Not really. It isn’t a sacrifice to a heavyweight to lose 7kg. In my last fight I did it really well. I just wore regular clothes and did the habitual sauna. So I had no trouble to lose weight. Who knows someday I might be able to fight at the 93kg division.

Really? Is that possible for somebody like you?
Antonio Silva: André Benkei says it is possible, but I was just joking around. I said it would be my next goal and my friends freaked out (laughs). I am focused in the heavyweight division and I feel like I‘ll do a lot in this division during my career.

MMA Sports: Tell us about your past. What you use to do when you lived in Paraíba?
Antonio Silva: In Paraíba I used to work as a car salesperson. I started as an assistant, but then people gave me a chance and I became a salesman. Then I did some bank security. I used to carry the money bags inside the safe car. Thank God I’ve never had to react to any robbery when I was working.

Anderson Silva - Exclusive interview

interviewed by Ed Preuss for MMA Sports. Photo by Josh Hedges, Courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.

UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva steps up to Light Heavyweight to face James Irvin on July 19 at UFC Fight Night. In this exclusive interview, he tells us his thoughts on the fight, his upcoming title fight against Yushin Okami and the other competitors in the middleweight division.

MMA Sports: Are you worried about your next challenge?
Anderson Silva: I am very confident about this fight.

MMA Sports: So, what do you think about doing the main fight of a show that is suppose to compete with Affliction?
Anderson Silva: Well, I am a fighter and my job is fighting. In fact, this fight was a personal request of Dana White and it has its value. I have been training hard and I wish I do a good job in the octagon.

MMA Sports: So, what do you know about James Irwin?
Anderson Silva: I know he is a tough fighter and likes to exchange punches. I need to be careful. But I am not worried. I am confident everything is going to be alright. I will try to do my best as I always do, no matter the result. I am going to test myself… to challenge myself.

MMA Sports: He commented saying that the middleweight division is way different than fighting among the light-heavyweights... what do you have to say about that?
Anderson Silva: I believe and respect the weight divisions. But when I used to fight at Pride there was no division such as 83kg. I've always fought among the 93kg fighters. And I didn't have the same technique and physical condition I have today. It’s an experience for me and as I said before, I am doing it for a lot of reasons… including a request of Dana White.

MMA Sports: So, if you win the fight, everyone will be wondering whether you will be looking to fight for the light-heavyweight title?
Anderson Silva: No, no. I do not have intention to fight for this belt. In my opinion it belongs to a man called Lyoto Machida and he has proven it! I will fight Irwin because I like fighting and challenges.

MMA Sports: After the fight you return to Brazil and then you have another challenge ahead: Yushin Okami…
Anderson Silva: I am going to train harder for this challenge. In the first fight we met at Rumble on the Rock, the rules weren't clear for me. I ended launching an illegal kick and got disqualified. Everybody saw I was winning that fight. In case I didn't get disqualified, I believe he wouldn't last one more round.

MMA Sports Mag – So, what do you think about this next meeting with him?
Anderson Silva: He is a great fighter and he is very skillful. Prove of his value is that he is fighting in the UFC. And I think he showed enough to fight for the belt. I had my chance once and he now has his. But I warn him it's going to be easy… some of the best fighters tried, but the belt is still with me.

MMA Sports: What do you think of Patrick Cote?
Anderson Silva: I think its great everybody wants a piece of me. They will challenge me and my technique and if I deserve to remain the champion, just time will tell. I know I won’t be a champion forever, somebody will eventually beat me and this makes me stronger to postpone this day. I just know I train to show my game and the result is focused in the whole work. As I said, everybody wants a piece of me and my title and I will train harder and harder to retain it.

MMA Sports: Is there anyone in particular that you would like to fight?
Anderson Silva: I don't know… but if it was possible I'd like to fight my clone (laughs), but I think it's just possible in the videogame… but it would be funny. The other day I got myself thinking about that.

MMA Sports: Some people wonder about fights between you and Georges St. Pierre, or Paulão Filho… what do you think about fighting them?
Anderson Silva – Well, what can I say? I think a fight with Georges St. Pierre would be very interesting. The same thing with the Brazilians... I really admire Paulo Filho's job and I don't refuse fights, I don't choose opponents. Also Ronaldo Jacaré is such a rising star and I think he is also doing a great job at Dream and I would not be surprised if someday we meet in the ring in the future.

MMA Sports: So, tell me about your training at the “Minotauro” Team…
Anderson Silva: It's very cool. Rodrigo “Minotauro” got a place in Miami and everyday of training is a different day for me. Its a daily transformation… the whole crew is awesome. I just train with fighters heavier than me. And to be honest, I've always trained like that. We did a special training schedule and physical preparation and I am confident it will work fine.

Pedro Rizzo interview

MMA Sport interview exclusive with Pedro Rizzo

interviewed by Ed Preuss for MMA Sports

A new Pedro Rizzo is emerging. After two loses in Pride, Brazilian UFC living legend Pedro Rizzo has found on his family a new path to keep moving forward in the fight business and bounced back with two bug wins in the Art of War promotion. His first victory was over Justin Eilers and his most recent TKO win over Jeff Monson.

According to Rizzo, the key of this change has a name and surname: Laila Rizzo. At age of one, Pedro Rizzo's daughter has changed the mind of the warrior. "On last June 19 we celebrated her first birthday. I am blessed with this God gift. She brought to me a lot of happiness and now I feel motivated to get in the ring and use all my strength to overcome any bad situation", says Rizzo.

Now the family's man has a chance to regain the gold times of the past. On July 19, he will have his chance to face Josh Barnett again, on the Affliction show, held in the Honda Center, in Anaheim, California. In their first fight Pedro Rizzo knocked out Josh Barnett back in 2001.

MMA Sports Mag's crew met Rizzo (and Laila) at a coffee shop in Rio de Janeiro to bring you this exclusive interview with Pedro Rizzo.

MMA SPORTS MAG - So, what do you think about this rematch with Josh Barnett on the Affliction card?
PEDRO RIZZO - It has been seven years since we faced each other and now we have a reverse situation. In the first fight I was the favorite and now people are calling me the underdog. I am very pleased with this fight and I feel blessed.

MMA SPORTS MAG - You have faced hard times during your last fights…
PEDRO RIZZO - I've been always a Christian and I passed through a bad professional time. But I believe it just had to be. I gave up my life in God's hands and I train supported by my faith. I train hard because I want to be ready for the worst. And this fight against Barnett is the hardest fight of my career.

MMA SPORTS MAG - What can we expect from this fight?
PEDRO RIZZO - This fight will be the one where I am going to show I still can fight anyone. That will bring me to the top ten best heavyweight fighters again. I'll be ready for the battle… I will enter in the ring as if it was the last fight of my life.

MMA SPORTS MAG - And how do you intend to do it?
PEDRO RIZZO - I have been training hard with a great structure, what I did not have few months ago. I have been training with 12 heavyweights sparring, good at wrestling, who enjoy exchanging punches and kicks. I believe Josh will start on the feet and then he is going to take the fight to the ground. But I am going to surprise him on the feet. Josh is a versatile fighter and as far as I have seen, he sharpened his game on the feet. He always counts on good take-down attempts and also likes to apply leg-locks. Everybody knows that and I have been training a lot of it.

MMA SPORTS MAG - Talking about training… you always counts on K-1 star Peter Aerts’ support. Tell me about him.
PEDRO RIZZO - He is such a good friend. So that is true, he brings his family and we travel as a big family. And every time I train with him I learn a lot. We're always learning some new tricks.

MMA SPORTS MAG - You said you want to come back to the top ten of the heavyweight division. Do you think in case you defeat him you return to the ranking?
PEDRO RIZZO - Josh nowadays is the fourth place. I don't know if I beat him I will be ranked, but what makes me glad is facing a top 10 athlete. There are some people that say I should retire, but I say no!

MMA SPORTS MAG - So, what do you think about this new Affliction show?
PEDRO RIZZO - I hope for the best. The event has a great card, featuring Vitor Belfort, Rogério Minotouro, Renato Babalú and Fábio Negão among others. So, what can I say more? We signed for three bouts and I know the next show is scheduled for October. So I hope people buy the pay-per-views and have great fun with our bouts. Affliction has launched the best card of the year and the only top heavyweight out of the tournament is Rodrigo Minotauro, who fights in the UFC.

MMA SPORTS MAG - Talking about UFC, it will perform a show in the same day… what do you think about that?
PEDRO RIZZO - I think UFC might be a little concerned. They analyzed the card and saw Affliction as a potential concurrent. I think it's positive for the sport, and great for the athletes. Affliction has sold a lot of tickets as far I know and as I said before, is supported by an excellent card. I don't know about the UFC plans, but I tell you it's going to be hard to feature a better card than Affliction's one.

MMA SPORTS MAG - Talking about challenges. Few months ago some rumors say you would fight Fedor Emelianenko... and he is the main star of the show... Was there discussions?
PEDRO RIZZO - Yes. There was some contact to fight Fedor, pretty much because all heavyweights are fighting at UFC. So the list of top heavyweights outside UFC include names like me, Josh Barnett, Jeff Monson, Brazilian Antônio Pezão... however I think he signed with Elite. The M1 event was having a hard time finding an opponent Fedor and I was named. My manager called after the contact and I accepted. It's such a great opportunity and an honor to fight Fedor, who is the best fighter in the world.


MMA SPORTS MAG - Talking about the best heavyweight of the world, how is it possible to defeat him? Any tips for Sylvia?
PEDRO RIZZO - I say he is a complete fighter. He exchanges punches like few heavyweights, he applies good take downs and knows how to fight on the ground. I think one of the ways to defeat him being on top. He is very explosive and has good sprawls, so its hard to take him down… he trains a lot Judo. And I am not a good wrestler, and it may be a problem. I think I need to improve my training and my game to fight him. In case of this fight is signed, I will build a strategy. I have been watching his fights and he handles the very bad situations smoothly.

KO SILVA - Thiago Silva interview

MMA Sport issue 12 interview exclusive with Thiago Silva

MMA Sports: Tell us about your thoughts about the fight with Alexander Houston?
Thiago Silva: I thought Houston was strong and a way explosive fighter. I trained hard and did specific training to annul his game. He has a strong punch and he is a knock-out machine! I imposed my game and my base, which means, I was planning to take the fight to the ground. Watching his fights, he won them all exchanging punches. He never went down in a fight and I decided to test him. I imposed my game and won the game.

MMA Sports: How did you start to train at American Top Team?
Thiago Silva: I’ll be honest with you. I’ve reached some high training levels in my career and I kind of needed a better training structure. My old gym, where I was training in São Paulo, with Jorge Patino Macaco, was not good enough… anymore. By the way the financial part was also not great too. We started to disagree about some issues and I decided to live in the U.S. I am friends with Alex Davis and now he’s my manager.

MMA Sports: When did you meet Davis?
Thiago Silva: He is such a friend. In fact I know a friend who knew him in childhood. So he introduced us and I renegotiated my contract with UFC and he offered to train me. I confess I was curious to know the whole structure and team and I realized the training was amazing. Team was very professional and so far I am loving it. This is my new home now.

MMA Sports: How is your Chute Boxe’s leaving?
Thiago Silva: Unfortunately was not good. Macaco and I had a disagreement about money and that’s not great, ever! In my opinion I thing everybody needs to earn honest money. He as a trainer and manager and I as a fighter. But unfortunately he wanted to make more money than he was supposed to. And I started to feel bad and decided to leave. That’s the truth. He told the press I abandoned him but behind the scenes he was forcing me to sign a contract that wouldn’t be good for me.

MMA Sports: So, tell us about this new contract?
Thiago Silva: I am closed with American Top Team, with Alex Davis. I cannot say too much, but I can tell you it’s a long and interesting contract. In my point of view it was great for both parts. Everybody is happy.

MMA Sports: Tell us about your training at ATT?
Thiago Silva: I like training with everybody, but especially with Wilson Gouveia, Jorginho, Antônio Pezão, the heavy ones. They make part of my training day… training is awesome. Talking about the trainers, Wally trains our Muay Thai, who is doing a great job with us. There is André, our physical trainer, Howard, who teaches Boxing, Carmelo, who trains Wrestling and Ricardo Libório, who trains Jiu-Jitsu. There is a great structure and you see the results in really few time. You have to keep following the evolution of the sport… so I am having a great time at ATT.

MMA Sports: Talking about UFC. How is your relationship with Dana White?
Thiago Silva: I love UFC and my relationship with Dana White is wonderful. I really like him. He treats me well and I don’t have reasons to complain. I do my job and I train hard to do it well. In my opinion, who trains hard always gets in the top. I have traced my goal and I am determined to reach the top.

MMA Sports: Who do you think is the strongest fighter in your division?
Thiago Silva: I am good friends with American Top Team’s JZ Cavalcanti and I was telling him there are lots of ups and downs in the division and it’s hard to point a single fighter. I really like to watch Forrest Griffin matches. However I am training to be the best and I will fight anyone.

George St Pierre sharpens BJJ in Rio

Text Interviews
MMA News Written by F. Machado
Friday, 13 June 2008

Georges St. Pierre in BrazilUFC welterweight champion, Canadian George St Pierre is enjoying some well deserved free time in Rio de Janeiro. But he is not just enjoying just a vacation at the beach. The UFC champ has been sharpening his Jiu-Jitsu with some of the most traditional BJJ teams in Rio de Janeiro: Nova União and Gracie Barra. "If I knew how good was it, I would come here earlier", said a relaxed George St Pierre, who watched the May 31st edition of Jungle Fight Warriors, held in Rio de Janeiro at the UFC heavyweight champion Rodrigo Nogueira Minotauro's facility.

George talked about his impressions of the training. "It has been an wonderful time. I am really impressed with the high quality of the training", stated the Canadian, who visited and did not care about the BJJ rivalry between Nova União and Gracie Barra on the mats. "I was welcomed in both places. To be honest, in Canada BJJ has been getting developed and there is no such as rivalry between teams. So this is a kind of new thing for me", said St Pierre, adding: "I started in Jiu-Jitsu by Wagnney Fabiano's hands and training with the guys at Nova União was very good. I learned good positions", guaranteed the fighter.

Besides Jiu-Jitsu, George talked about UFC and Anderson Silva. "I know Silva and he is a nice guy. A great fighter inside and outside the octagon. I respect him a lot and he is in a great phase of his career. But the truth is nobody is unbeatable, but if he keeps doing the same job he has been doing be sure he will keep his belt for a long, long time", said the champion.

With a fixed eye on the octagon of Jungle Fight Warrios, Georges saw great bouts and few knock-outs, such as Johnny Eduardo's over Erinaldo Pitbull and Alan Frois's over Ricardo Pessanha. Check out the full results of the event which George St Pierre saw from the ring side:

COMPLETE RESULTS:

Jungle Fight Warriors
May 31st, 2008
Nogueira Brothers Facility – Rio de Janeiro

- Ronnys Torres (Nova União) submitted Francinei Farinaze (Minotauro Team) by RNC at 2R.
- Paulo Thiago (Constrictor Team) submitted Paulo Cavera (Macaco Gold Team) by kata-gatame at 1R;
- Thiago Jambo (Minotauro Team) defeated Everton Santana (Macaco Gold Team) by referee's decision;
- André Tadeu (Clube de Luta) KO'd Daniel Moraes (ICJG) at 2R;
- Johnny Eduardo (Boxe Thai/ Nova União) KO'd Erinaldo Pitbull (Gracie Fusion) at 1R;
- Eric Silva (Alliance-ES) submitted Carlos Eduardo dos Santos (RFT) by RNC at 3R;
- Alan Frois (MGT) KO'd Ricardo Pessanha (Alliance - Campos) at 1R;
- Leonardo Tangerina (Gracie Fusion) defeated Bruno Menezes (Champion - BA) by split decision.

Shogun at MMARR

Interview Mauricio Rua: Shogun leaves Chute Boxe

Text Interviews
Written by F. Machado
Thursday, 20 December 2007

ImageWith less than a week before Wanderlei Silva vs. Chuck Liddell at UFC 79, one of Brazil's top MMA acadenies Chute Boxe suffered another huge loss. Pride champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua announced last Tuesday on the 18th of December he too would leave Chuteboxe after his brother Murilo “Ninja” Rua left. "My brother left the team last week and there is no way I remain on a team my brother does not belong", said Shogun. Now the Brazilian fighter, who debuted with a losing effort to Forrest Griffin in the UFC, talks about the mega fight between Wanderlei "The Axe Murderer" Silva and Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell, his loss to Forrest Griffin, his brother Murilo "Ninja", and much more.

MMARR - Why did you decide to leave Chute Boxe?

Mauricio Shogun - My brother left the team last week and there is no way I remain in a team my brother does not belong. I own him my career. It is because of him I became a professional fighter. He brought fighting to my family. My idea is to stay in Brazil, in Curitiba. So far I don't want to move to US and I am trying to convince Murilo to stay too.

MMARR - What's your plans now?

Mauricio Shogun - Well, Id like to open a gym in Curitiba… maybe this January. I've been searching for places and growing the idea stronger. But after that I have to focus on UFC. I fight again in March and I need to train harder and harder for my next fight.

MMARR - How is your knee?

Mauricio Shogun - My knee is good. I am recovered and training already. Every morning I run few miles and I am ready to return.

MMARR - Did the hurt knee somehow bother you against Griffin?

Mauricio Shogun - I know what I've done wrong against Griffin. And I cannot blame any hurt for my mistakes. I have the total responsibility for my acts and bad results. Right know I just want to look to the future and thank all my friends and fans who supported me in those bad days. I know I will be back better than ever. I lost the first battle but I will win this war for the belt!

MMARR - What happened with the knee? Is it true you got injured weeks before your UFC debut?

Mauricio Shogun - I got the crossed ligament injured two months ago when was training with my brother. My foot got stuck on the mat and then I turned over and my knee turned over too.

MMARR - Some of the best pride fighters had a hard time when fighting in the cage, like you and Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic. What do you think about this fight between Silva and Liddell?

Mauricio Shogun - I am rooting for Silva even more because he is a true friend. Nowadays every fighter is in the same technique level. But I do believe Wanderlei will defeat Liddell. He just needs to pay attention to his counter-attacks. It's Liddell's game… he spins and throws punches. On the other hand Wanderlei likes to show they audience why they paid for their tickets. He gives it all. He has more stamina, more heart and he is way better than Liddell when the subject is exchanging punches. I believe Wanderlei may win this fight by knock-out.

MMARR - Who you'd like to fight next?

Mauricio Shogun - I do not choose opponents. I am training hard to face anyone. However, I'd like to fight some UFC star… Tito Ortiz, Chuck Liddell would be such great experiences for me. However I know I have to train and need to do a better job when I come back.

MMARR - You'd like to fight Griffin again?

Mauricio Shogun - Of course. I want this revenge but I honestly think they will not do this super fight so early.

MMARR - The other Brazilian to fight at UFC 79 is Lyoto Machida. He will fight Sokoudjou, who defeated Brazilians Ricardo Arona and Rogério Minotouro. What are your thoughts about that fight?

Mauricio Shogun - Well, tough question. Sokoudjou proved he is an excellent fighter when surprised both Ricardo Arona and Rogério Nogueira Minotouro. But I can tell you I've trained with Lyoto at Chute Boxe and I believe he has more weapons. I think this fight will happen only on the feet. Lyoto may try to take this fight to the ground, but Sokoudjou is strong and I think Lyoto may waste his stamina trying to accomplish it. I bet on Lyoto against Sokoudjou. I think he will kick ass.

MMARR - Murilo Ninja is doing a great job at British event Cage Rage… how is he?

Mauricio Shogun - He is fine. I traveled with him to England, when he fought at Cage Rage 24 and he did a great fight. I think he is going to take this belt once its available. Some rumors say he will fight his next bout for the title. Who knows?