Il Loco
25-03-2009, 11:52
On April 18 Brazilian fans will beat witness to one of the most anticipated bouts of the year. On this date, in Canada, Anderson Silva will defend his UFC middleweight belt against also-Brazilian Thales Leites. The champion will be looking to extend his eight-fight winning streak in the organization. Doing his preparations in Rio de Janeiro, Anderson took the chance to watch his teammates at Killer Bees in their matches at Jungle Fight, in the Nogueira brothers’ training center and caught up with old friend Paulo Filho.
In this chat with Portal das Lutas, GRACIEMAG.com partner site, the Spider comments humbly on Thales, his training for the challenge and the return of friend Paulao.
Portal das Lutas – What do you expect in this title defense, against a fellow Brazilian?
Anderson Silva – A fight’s a fight, right? I’m going out there to have a great battle. I can’t say much. It’s a tough fight for the both of us. I’m going to try and do my job as best I can and, regardless of the result, what’s important is that the title remains in Brazil.
PDL – Thales has in his Jiu-Jitsu his greatest weapon. How are you preparing for him?
AS – We’re training hard. Everyone’s helping out, Andre Galvao, Paulao, Minotouro, Feijao… The whole gang is focused and everyone is helping me in training. Everyone’s helping out a lot, I can’t say much more than that. It’s a really technical, really good group and the support has been very important for me.
PDL – You’re also doing part of your training at XTRIKER. What’s your relationship with that team like?
AS – I train here at Minotauro Team with the crew. I’m Minotauro Team, everyone knows that.
PDL – You and Paulao were talking a lot and even practiced some positions. What was it like to see your friend again?
AS – It’s hard to talk about Paulao, I can’t even comment. Paulao is a samurai, everyone knows that. I think he’s the best pound-for-pound fighter and he’s proven that to the whole world. He’s beaten some guys out there who were unbeatable and I can only thank God for everything he’s done for me.
PDL – It looks like your dreamed-of bout with boxer Roy Jones, which would mark your retirement, may really happen. Is that true?
AS – After my contract with the UFC ends and end my career in MMA, I intend to have a boxing match with Roy Jones. That’s something that’s already been arranged, it’s all practically a done deal. Now I just have to wait and see.
In this chat with Portal das Lutas, GRACIEMAG.com partner site, the Spider comments humbly on Thales, his training for the challenge and the return of friend Paulao.
Portal das Lutas – What do you expect in this title defense, against a fellow Brazilian?
Anderson Silva – A fight’s a fight, right? I’m going out there to have a great battle. I can’t say much. It’s a tough fight for the both of us. I’m going to try and do my job as best I can and, regardless of the result, what’s important is that the title remains in Brazil.
PDL – Thales has in his Jiu-Jitsu his greatest weapon. How are you preparing for him?
AS – We’re training hard. Everyone’s helping out, Andre Galvao, Paulao, Minotouro, Feijao… The whole gang is focused and everyone is helping me in training. Everyone’s helping out a lot, I can’t say much more than that. It’s a really technical, really good group and the support has been very important for me.
PDL – You’re also doing part of your training at XTRIKER. What’s your relationship with that team like?
AS – I train here at Minotauro Team with the crew. I’m Minotauro Team, everyone knows that.
PDL – You and Paulao were talking a lot and even practiced some positions. What was it like to see your friend again?
AS – It’s hard to talk about Paulao, I can’t even comment. Paulao is a samurai, everyone knows that. I think he’s the best pound-for-pound fighter and he’s proven that to the whole world. He’s beaten some guys out there who were unbeatable and I can only thank God for everything he’s done for me.
PDL – It looks like your dreamed-of bout with boxer Roy Jones, which would mark your retirement, may really happen. Is that true?
AS – After my contract with the UFC ends and end my career in MMA, I intend to have a boxing match with Roy Jones. That’s something that’s already been arranged, it’s all practically a done deal. Now I just have to wait and see.