"Looking for the belt
Ricardo Arona is ready for the most important fight of his career. The BTT's black belt will face Wanderlei Silva on December 31st for the Pride Middleweight belt and he expects to repeat the first fight, when he beat the Axe Murderer by judges decision.
In an exclusive to TATAME.com, Arona talks about his training and he sends his message to Wanderlei:
"I will test your BJJ black belt".
You have been coming to Brazilian Top Team more often during the last weeks. Why did you change your training schedule for this fight?
I wanna get this belt. I already had the opportunity to put my hands on Pride's belt once and I lost. So, I decided to intensify my trainings.
What are you doing different for this fight?
I'm going three times a week at the BTT headquarter. There, I improve my Wrestling and BJJ skills. We have top sparrings there, what's good for me. I do also test my cardio conditions.
At this time, Wanderlei promises he won't respect you as he did at the first fight...
I've faced all kind of fighters and way of fighting. This doesn't scare me! If he goes to an open fight, good for me, it will be easier for me to put him down.
How do you intend to take this fight?
I want to strike with him, but I am also going to use my Jiu-Jitsu skills to submit him. I want to test his black belt.
At the end of this year, the Brazilian Top Team will dispute two Pride's belts: you will try the Middleweight belt and Murilo Bustamante will face Dan Henderson for the GP's Welterweight belt. Conquering both, BTT will surpass Chute Boxe on number of titles. Do you think it increases your responsibility?
No...I'm sure this New Years Eve will be great for us. We will end 2005 in the best way possible, with Murilo taking the belt and I beating Wanderlei using the Jiu-Jitsu.
Talking about Murilo, he will face a guy that you already fought, Dan Henderson. What do you think it will happen at this fight?
Murilo is better physically and technically. He has a good ground game and a great Boxing. But anything can happen on a
Vale-Tudo fight. Dan Henderson has a strong right punch and he's also very experienced.
Send a message for your fans.
Thanks for you support and I'm counting on their support on December 31st. I want to put this belt on the right hands, for the one who deserves it. For someone that represents the sport and that will work hard on the development of the sport."
źródło: www.tatame.com