Mamy wywiady z Williamsem, jak i również z Wanderlei Silvą, a ja postanowiłem dorzucić wywiadzik z jednym z moich ulubionych fighterów - Antonio Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueirą.
Wywiad zamieszczam w oryginale, z małym wstępem, jak i z własnym tłumaczeniem
The Pride heavy weight champion Rodrigo Minotauro is one of the certain fighters to join the Heavyweight Grand Prix that takes place in Japan in April. After defeating for Russian Fedor Emelianenko in March of 2003, Minotauro trained hard and showed the world that his return to the top would be just a matter of time. He did it. Eight months later the fighter from Bahia faced the Croatian Mirko Cro Cop at Pride 27 Final Conflict and became the #1 again. Now. With the new challenge, Minotauro searched for new moves to increase his game on the feet and repeat the performance of Wanderlei Silva at middleweight GP. Check out now the full interview now.
How is your preparation for the GP?
I came back to train. I got a month to train Boxing and sharpen my training on the feet. Now I will work on my ground skills. I wanna improve it even more. I am faster, drier than before.
After the time you've spent in Cuba, you are now in Salvador training Boxing with Brazilian Boxing coat Luiz Dória... How long do you want to keep this partnership?
I hope I can keep the Boxing training until April. I want to keep him also in Rio de Janeiro. On the ground, I am fine. I want him by my side in Rio.
During the Pride you stepped inside the ring to talk about the Heavy weight GP. Did you meet Cro Cop in there?
Yes! He passed and I was training. He applied me a key-lock and I thought it was a friend of mine joking with me. I was surprised when I saw Mirko. We talked and he showed a lot of curiosity about my training. Of course I didn't open my guard and I told him I got injured.
Tell me about the Minotauro Team... its does mean you will defend both flags now?
We released a gym in Curitiba called Minotauro Team. I also have some people training in there as Vitelmo Katel that won at Shooto Switzerland and other people who trains Jiu-Jitsu in Curitiba. They don't have conditions to train in Rio, so I decided to feature a gym there. About defending both flags, I am a member of Brazilian Top Team and Minotauro team is for my pupils. I don't want to mix things up.
After promoting a MMA event (Conquista Fight) and release an academy, you sound like enjoying this new deal to acct behind the scenes...
The idea is enjoy the contacts and the name Minotauro. Before I think about money, I want to help the athletes.
The Boxing time in Cuba caused controversies in Japan and in Brazil. Some people suggested you would run for the gold medal...
I went to Cuba to follow the Brazilian Olympic Boxing Team. I had a such great time with Luiz Dória and I improved my game on the feet. I've learned so much.
Your presence was being expected by the Brazilians at Shooto Switzerland. Why didn't you go?
At that time I was in Cuba. I traveled to Japan and I couldn't go to Switzerland to not ruin the whole Boxing Team schedule. We've trained the whole carnival time and it was so serious that we hadn't left the hotel room.
The BTT athletes ruled the event...
Yeah. It was excellent the winning level. They showed themselves good on the feet and exchanged lots of punches. Its awesome for BTT. I also want to congratulate Guto (Gustavo Frota) for the best MMA event host in Switzerland.
Talking about events, and about Conquista Fight? There are any news for the next edition?
Yes. We have plans to promote an event for June and other to December. We also are dealing with a Japanese TV channel. I want to set up two Japanese fighters on the card. June one would be in Salvador and the December one would be held in Vitória da Conquista one more time."
SOURCE: tatame.com
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