makavelli
27-01-2005, 15:59
Wanderlei Silva
By André Araújo
Silva wants Nogueira in Curitiba
After the awful end of last Pride Shockwave, nothing better than vacations to Middleweight Pride champion Wanderlei Silva. And it was exactly what he did. After spending two weeks at Brazilian Northeast beaches, Wand - already in Curitiba (PR) - did an unusual invitation to former Heavyweight pride champion Rodrigo Minotauro. "If Minotauro is not pleased in his team, I wish I had him training in Chute-Boxe," invited Silva. Check out bellow the best parts of the chat with the champion, what he did think about the loss to Mark Hunt and his plans for the future. Next:
After the whole noisy New Years Eve, did you have enough time to rest?
I spent two weeks in Maceió (AL) and visit lots of beaches. It was a real paradise. A empty beach, with my wife and son. Just perfect!
About Pride... you ruled the ground game with Hunt. What happened?
I was supposed to train more Jiu-Jitsu. In fact, I use my ground game to defend myself. I have to improve my submission techniques. What has happen is I got my hand injured and it bothered my ground train. But I will improve my Jiu-Jitsu and come back better.
How this loss affects your career?
To be honest with you, this loss did not affect my career. Of course I got very upset. I've seen the tape several times and I realize the fight was tie. And when it does happen, the victory goes to the lighter one. It didn't happen against Hunt. In my opinion I won the fight. I lost my invincibility and it will take a while until I get it back. It was taken away from me.
You got hurt by Pride?
No way out! I got very upset, but there are no hard feelings with Pride. Pride was the event where I became a champion and I consider Pride the best MMA event in the world.
Tell me about your deal with Pride... you know there are lots of fight promoters chasing after you.
Pride guys informed they are on the way to Brazil and deal with local athletes. About other organizations, it just makes me happy, because they appreciate my work and I know I am doing the right thing.
Are you interested in a rematch with Hunt?
Absolutely! I feel like I still gonna have to fight him other three times. I'm gonna do my best to defeat him and any other fighter who cross my way.
What are you going to do different when that time comes?
I will be more prepared. I will increase my weight... no way I fight a heavier fighter weighting less than 105kg.
Have you decided if you going to fight at Pride Middleweight GP?
I haven't. But if I don't I will point Murilo Ninja or MaurÃ*cio Shogun to replace me.
You said you would gain some weight. Do you wanna fight as a heavyweight now?
Yes, I have it in my mind. I wanna face (Mirko) Cro Cop and Fedor (Emelianenko) because they are the best.
And Rodrigo Minotauro? He is also one of the best ones.
Of course Rodrigo is one of the best ones. But I don't want to fight him. He is such a great guy and I wish I had him training in my team. If he is not pleased in his team, I invite him to train in Chute-Boxe. I guarantee!
http://www.tatame.com/ingles/entrevistas.asp?id=3305
By André Araújo
Silva wants Nogueira in Curitiba
After the awful end of last Pride Shockwave, nothing better than vacations to Middleweight Pride champion Wanderlei Silva. And it was exactly what he did. After spending two weeks at Brazilian Northeast beaches, Wand - already in Curitiba (PR) - did an unusual invitation to former Heavyweight pride champion Rodrigo Minotauro. "If Minotauro is not pleased in his team, I wish I had him training in Chute-Boxe," invited Silva. Check out bellow the best parts of the chat with the champion, what he did think about the loss to Mark Hunt and his plans for the future. Next:
After the whole noisy New Years Eve, did you have enough time to rest?
I spent two weeks in Maceió (AL) and visit lots of beaches. It was a real paradise. A empty beach, with my wife and son. Just perfect!
About Pride... you ruled the ground game with Hunt. What happened?
I was supposed to train more Jiu-Jitsu. In fact, I use my ground game to defend myself. I have to improve my submission techniques. What has happen is I got my hand injured and it bothered my ground train. But I will improve my Jiu-Jitsu and come back better.
How this loss affects your career?
To be honest with you, this loss did not affect my career. Of course I got very upset. I've seen the tape several times and I realize the fight was tie. And when it does happen, the victory goes to the lighter one. It didn't happen against Hunt. In my opinion I won the fight. I lost my invincibility and it will take a while until I get it back. It was taken away from me.
You got hurt by Pride?
No way out! I got very upset, but there are no hard feelings with Pride. Pride was the event where I became a champion and I consider Pride the best MMA event in the world.
Tell me about your deal with Pride... you know there are lots of fight promoters chasing after you.
Pride guys informed they are on the way to Brazil and deal with local athletes. About other organizations, it just makes me happy, because they appreciate my work and I know I am doing the right thing.
Are you interested in a rematch with Hunt?
Absolutely! I feel like I still gonna have to fight him other three times. I'm gonna do my best to defeat him and any other fighter who cross my way.
What are you going to do different when that time comes?
I will be more prepared. I will increase my weight... no way I fight a heavier fighter weighting less than 105kg.
Have you decided if you going to fight at Pride Middleweight GP?
I haven't. But if I don't I will point Murilo Ninja or MaurÃ*cio Shogun to replace me.
You said you would gain some weight. Do you wanna fight as a heavyweight now?
Yes, I have it in my mind. I wanna face (Mirko) Cro Cop and Fedor (Emelianenko) because they are the best.
And Rodrigo Minotauro? He is also one of the best ones.
Of course Rodrigo is one of the best ones. But I don't want to fight him. He is such a great guy and I wish I had him training in my team. If he is not pleased in his team, I invite him to train in Chute-Boxe. I guarantee!
http://www.tatame.com/ingles/entrevistas.asp?id=3305