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Il Loco
02-06-2009, 11:24
Without fighting since the end of 2008, Paulão Filho is back to the rings, and will already have a tough opponent ahead. Owner of one of the best Jiu-Jitsus of MMA, the black belt will go trough Melvin Manhoef, specialist in striking, in the Dream 10, in July. In conversation with TATAME, Paulão talked about the trainings for the fight, the strategy against Manhoef, the belt dispute between Jacaré, his partner of trainings, and Jason Miller, which ended without result, and the Brazilians who are shining in the UFC. Check below the chat with the fighter.

How is the preparation for this fight?

Man, I'm fine, thanks God, I'm focused. I will fight in my weight and you know, I prefer to fight in Japan. Melvin likes striking, so my strategy is to wait him come, grab him and see what happens. I have to respect, he is a very tough guy. He's coming from a sequence of knockouts, nice, but I'm more complete in the MMA game. Who thinks I’ll change punches with him is wrong, I’ll do my game, try to put him down and define the fight where I’m good. He’s very hard, but I believe that I beat him.

Do you expect, with this victory, to win a chance of disputing the belt of the event?

I don’t care about it, what I want is win this fight. Let's go step by step. First, I’ll face Melvin and see how it goes, try to do the right thing. The head is good, the trainings are very good and we will try to fix things.

Jacaré has helped you a lot in the trainings. What did you think of his fight with Jason Miller?

I think he was unlucky, that guy had to be disqualified immediately, but we need to be patient, go back to training for the next and don’t make the same mistake. I'm cheering for him, he’s my friend, is from the Jiu-Jitsu, I want his success.

Do you think that Jacaré should have taken the fight to the ground immediately?

Of course, who will hold a man like that in the ground? A man of his caliber, a Jiu-Jitsu ace, this can’t happen.

How do you think it will be Anderson’s fight against Forrest Griffin?

Anderson is much more dangerous than Forrest Griffin, has more punch, but is a complete opponent, has a lot of gas, is tough, I think it will be a good fight. I think Anderson needs to be careful and avoid the fight on the ground, because he is big, has more reach. Anderson has to work where he is strong, standing, and avoid only the ground part.

And Lyoto Machida’s conquest in the UFC?

Man, Lyoto is great! Every opponent that fight with him will be in trouble, because he has a very strong counter punching game, it’s very difficult. He confuses the guy and, when the opponent starts to hunt him, Lyoto defines. He has a great shot, a very strong base, is a guy tough to put down. You see good athletes of Wrestling, like Tito Ortiz and Rashad trying to put him down, but I think that Lyoto will stay there for a long time. He and Anderson are my friends, but I think I would be a good fight for him, but this fight won’t happen at all. They are my friends and I want them to stay with the belt. And I hope that Minotauro returns and Thiago Pitbull can, also, put Brazil on top of the world.

Do you think there’s any Brazilian fighter that can’t take away Lyoto’s domain, as Shogun or Cane?

Indeed, Shogun is an exceptional athlete, aggressive, brave, fearless, but that is his weakness in his fight against Lyoto. Once he tries to impose his rhythm, Lyoto may counter punch him and he’d go down... It’s very dangerous to fight with him. Shogun will go ahead and Lyoto won’t. Fighting an opponent like this is always complicated, I think that Lyoto will stay for a long time with the belt.