INTERVIEWS

Vitor Belfort interview

The sum of a 10 year career Text by Marcelo Dunlop - Photos by Susumu Nagao / Cover photo by Luca Atalla

The star says he performed at 10% against Henderson and remembers the best and worst moments after a decade of MMA

Vitor Belfort was anxious upon entering the ring, in the United States. With the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team in the audience, including Shaquille O'Neal and Magic Johnson, the Carlson Gracie black belt stops his American rival in a shocking 12 seconds.

Ten years later, at Pride USA, Victor has a series of reasons for celebrating a decade-long career, which began with that massacre at SuperBrawl 2, against Jon Hess, on October 11th, 1996. The problem is that Dan Henderson did not help, and Vitor loses, on October 21st, by unanimous decision, in his eighth loss in 22 fights, the fifth defeat in the last seven fights. To make matters worse, the fighter, now 29 years old, found himself being accused of doping at Pride. "All I took was a supplement, called Max Tribostak, I got from a Max Muscle store, in La Habra, California. I had no idea a supplement could contain a substance that is illegal in Nevada, he states, already at home in Brazil. Now having moved from Belo Horizonte back to Rio, Vitor analyzed, in exclusive testimony, not only his loss to Hendo, but also his career and life over these ten years in which he helped write the history of MMA.

What did you think of your performance against Henderson, at Pride in Las Vegas?
I performed at 10% of what I could have, and that bugs me. Dan Henderson is good, but I was sad about what I didn't deliver. Losses are always bothersome, but this was one of the worst performances of my life. I am disappointed because it has been years since my sister Priscila's kidnap [died in 2004], and I still haven't been able to perform well in the ring. Those who make a living from fighting know that the psychological side of things is vital. It's been a series of things, but I have even come to fear the big city, in Rio and São Paulo, because of the violence and traumas I have suffered, some of which I don't even mention. For this reason I have taken refuge in Minas Gerais. But now I think it is time to return to the scene. Back in Rio I will have more training infrastructure and can rediscover my roots. As Carlson said, the lion must be among the beasts.

How is your new team, Black House, of Joinha in partnership with Carlão Barreto?
Now I will sum it up. Carlão has a history with me, since the days with Carlson, as we were both the MMA precursors of the team. The academy X-Gym, in Recreio, is perfect, we will be a true team, and with everything in black and white. The trainers I had were excellent, but the team was missing to provide shelter, incentive, adding pleasure to training.

Do you manage to train with the same happiness as you did ten years ago?
I was managing to maintain the same happiness, but there was a time when I was disappointed with the world of MMA and lost my appetite. This disappointment sapped my desire, snuffed out the fire that motivated me. With all that maybe I didn't train adequately sometimes.

These days do you enjoy fighting?
I had several options for sports in the beginning of my career: volleyball, soccer, tennis. Why did I opt to fight? For the pleasure. Carlson was important in my life. His presence was a great motivation for me, and Carlson's team was very much united, each member valued, I loved being there with them. At that time I was a lion when I trained, competed, prepared myself to fight. Today I can still be, but I've lost some stimulus, because I am a person that is sensitive to what happens around me.

In training do you still run everybody over the way you used to?
As Dorea, my boxing coach, says, “We need to take the Vitor from training to competition!” What I need is to motivate myself. After all, the most difficult times are what make the changes in us. Part of life is to make mistakes, lower your head and get back on top. I have the strength to overcome it all.

What motivated you when you started, ten years ago?
My motivation when I was 18, 19 years old, was to prove the effectiveness of Jiu-Jitsu, show the value of Carlson and the Gracie family. As time passed and I became more professional, I suffered great disappointments in the fight world, and everything started deteriorating. The levels of motivation drops, it is like a snowball effect. I know it is my job to fight, but that is not all: my millions of fans around the world see that the real Vitor is not fighting, and that makes me sad. At the same time, that is what motivates me. I am not ashamed to say I went through tough times, and not found my style in the ring. Now I want to rescue what there is within me that is missing to put on great shows. Talent and the trust of the team I have, I just need to wipe the ghosts from my head.

What was the happiest day of your career?
All of them… But there was the day at UFC 12, in Alabama [February 7, 1997]. Carlson didn't have his due recognition in the USA, and after my victory, I, at 19 years of age, was able to help him to be recognized the world over. Wherever we went, we were recognized. That marked me.I want to go back to that phase. [Belfort ran Tra Telligman and Scott Ferrozzo over in the same night, in 1 min 17 secs and 43 secs respectively].

What do you remember of your first fight, in the ring at Super Brawl, in Hawaii?
I remember that, at the weigh in, Magic Johnson and Shaquille O'Neal bet a rolex on the fight. One of them even asked me how I could beat the big guy, and Carlson responded with a classic, “It's no problem because the king of the jungle is the lion, not the elephant!” Only the winner would take the 10,000 dollar prize. It was a savage time, no holds were barred, and Jon Hess said he would stick a finger in my eye. I was 18 years old, I was terrified (laughs). But Carlson made me feel absurdly confident, and told my opponent: “You want to go in armed? Take a knife, we will let you!”

How do you see your future?
I tell my fans I will know throw away what I have built over my career. I am re-evaluating my career path and will fight for my team, for me and for my fans. The outcome, the belts and the money, all are just consequences. I want to be an inspiration to my fans and teach good things even to my opponents. Whoever gets to the top must not step on the heads of whoever is below. The fighter goes through several phases, and the true champion cannot belittle the rest, but teach all others.

Your son Davi is almost two years old. Do you encourage him to be a fighter?
He already hits the bag, he has his little gloves. He also swims, plays soccer, tennis, volleyball. He has adeptness for sports. If he becomes a fighter, at least I will be able to help him avoid some of the things I went through. But if he wants to be a lawyer, doctor, economist, musician, I will encourage him as well.

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Grappling Phenom Marcelo Garcia

Posted by Charles Pearson

Lockflow.com
August 30th, 2006 at 8:17 PM

I tried to contact Marcelo about donating some techniques to Lockflow, unfortunately he is under contract with a DVD company, but he did agree to a quick interview. I was excited to ask him about fighting MMA, his famous arm drag and X- Guard techniques. Enjoy.

Lockflow: Marcelo, for those readers who are not familiar with you, when did you start you training? and what titles have you won?
Marcelo: I have started training when I was 13 years old, I am 24 now. I am 5 times world champion ( blue, purple , brown and 2 x as a black belt), 2x ADCC champion, Brazilian Champion and multiple times state champion.

Lockflow:What lead you to train in Jiu-Jitsu?
Marcelo: Watching Royce win the UFC, made me wish to fight MMA , and I saw Jiu Jitsu as the most efficient martial art, I wanted to one day make a living out of fighting.

Lockflow:Marcelo, who are your top 3 favorite grapplers and why?Marcelo: Rickson Gracie, because he is a legend, Renzo Gracie, because he was the first Gracie I met, before I became a black belt ( I went to Gracie Barra when I was a yellow belt , and had a picture taken with him ) and Minotauro for proving that still today, Jiu Jitsu is efficient and he still uses it to win his fights.

Lockflow:Who are you main training partners?
Marcelo: When I was in Brazil, it was Fabio Gurgel, Tarsis Humphreys, and all the students at Alliance SP, now I am starting to get to know my new students, but I have Black Belts Fabio Clemente and Babs and also brown belt Josh to train with at alliance NY, where I am teaching now.

Lockflow:You have achieved more in the last few years than many competitors have achieved in their entire lifetime, what goals do you have left to accomplish in the Submission grappling competition arena?
Marcelo: well, I think that what I have to achieve in Submission, is to one day win the absolute category.

Lockflow:Who has been your toughest opponent since winning your 2003 ADCC Division?
Marcelo: In submission it was Pe de pano, because he is very technical and knows how to use his size and weight.

Lockflow:Is there anyone out there in particular that you want to compete against?
Marcelo: I My big challenge nowadays I guess it's defeating Roger Gracie, i hope one day I can do that, so I hope to keep on fighting him in competitions, so I would have the chance to some day win!

Lockflow:You quite possibly have the best arm drag in the entire submission world, Did it come to you naturally or do you have a special way of applying it?
Marcelo: I believe that when you train hard, you find the positions that are good for your game, and that's what happened with the arm drag, is one of those positions that come easier to me.

Lockflow:In many of your matches, you have been a shinning example of the possibilities of the X-guard, is this a position you created or was it taught to you?
Marcelo: I had the help of all my teachers that have taught me throughout those years, I don't recall one person only teaching me that, but it was a position that I learned and improved to get to my X guard. I didn't invent it, just adapted to my game.

Lockflow:How often do you train during the week, and do you follow a special diet?
Marcelo: I train 2 times a day, 5 days a week, and I try to keep a good diet, it really depends on how much weight I need to cut.

Lockflow:How important do you feel it is to train with the gi for no gi grapplers?
Marcelo: I think one will always help the other, gi to no gi and no gi to gi, the ideal would be to train both, but with the gi, you will never have the factor of the person getting rid of a position being wet because of the sweat, you really need to know the positions, in order for them to work. So that helps you when you train no gi, it gives you a more precise knowledge.

Lockflow:Will we ever see you fight MMA?
Marcelo: It depends on the promoters, it is up to them to decide whether I can be a good asset to the competition, good entertainment...so I will wait for the invitation

Lockflow:Are you training striking as well?
Marcelo: A little bit...

Lockflow:As far as students that would like to follow in your footsteps, what advise would you give them?
Marcelo: That they spend all the time they have on the mat, if they want to get to where I am right now...Training is everything.

Lockflow:You have a new Gym opening up in New York, why did you choose New York?
Marcelo: It's not a new gym, I will be teaching with Fabio Clemente, at Studio X, he has been in NY for 14 years...I have received other proposals, but I have chosen NY because it's one of my favorite cities in The US,I like that you can find all kinds of people, from all over the world.

Lockflow:How can people get ahold of you for information on your gym or lessons?
Marcelo: They can check my website MarceloGarciajj.com , and if they want to learn Jiu Jitsu, they are always welcome to train with me at Studio X, on 98 third ave, NY. For more info just send an email to info@marcelogarciajj.com

Lockflow:Anything you would like to add?
Marcelo: Thank you for the opportunity to talk a little about myself, and keep on training hard. I'd like to thank all my teachers for supporting me to get here!

Marcelo Garcia

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BJ Talks About Saturday's Title Fight Loss

Back in Hawaii - BJ Talks About Yesterday's Title Fight.
Posted by BJPenn.com Staff Writer
www.bjpenn.com

After just arriving back in Hawaii, BJ talks about the outcome of his tough UFC 63 title fight against Matt Hughes which took place yesterday evening at Arrowhead Pond in Anahiem CA.

Interviewer:
So BJ how are you doing?

BJ:
I just got back to Hawaii. I'm resting up, I have some injuries. Other than that I'm okay.

Interviewer:
So you just fought Matt Hughes. Could you walk us through the first round?

BJ:
I felt good, I was happy that I was defending Matt's takedowns. I could see that Matt improved his standup. I wish I tried some takedowns, but other than that I was happy with it.

Interviewer:
You say he improved his standup. How?

BJ:
He was dodging my punches well, and he had a good jab.

Interviewer:
What did you think of his takedowns?

BJ:
His takedowns were good and strong, exactly what I expected.

Interviewer:
Take us through the second round.

BJ:
I felt great going in, Matt started trying to take me down from my right leg, it's something I expected he might do. He got me down against the fence, but I was thinking about this position alot and I was ready. When he went for a big elbow, he missed and I capitalized and started going for his back. At this moment, when I was making the turn towards his back, I felt my ribs seperate on my right side. Although I didn't know the severity of the situation. I was thinking I have to finish him now because I knew something was wrong. Matt defended himself well and got through the round. When I got up to walk to my corner, I knew something was wrong, but I didn't want to talk about it with my corner. I wanted to be the champ. I wanted to keep fighting.

Interviewer:
What about round 3?

BJ:
I remember standing up out of the corner in pain. But I was thinking, "Earn your title this is what you have to do to get your belt back, fight through the pain". I knew the oppurtunity I had with getting this fight, especially after losing my last fight. I wasn't going to quit on the corner. I kept going because I honestly believed it was destiny. When me and Matt were boxing I felt like I couldn't breathe and had no mobility in my core. But I kept thinking something good is going to happen. When Matt started dominating the stand up I tried for a takedown. I had nothing and pulled to guard. I felt like I couldn't do anything on the ground. But I was still positive. Matt hit me in the ribs from half guard. The pain was so excruciating I had to use my far hand to block it. I would rather Matt pass my guard and punch my face the hit my ribs. When Matt was in his favorite position that he likes. I was still thinking I was going to win somehow. Big John gave me plenty of time. I practiced defending against that position with flexibility, but I had none with my core. Even when Big John stopped the fight, I was still so positive I thought I escaped. Congratulations to Matt, he is a great fighter. It's not his fault that that happened, he fought like the champion he is. He deserved the victory.

Interviewer:
So how are your ribs doing now?

BJ:
There just hurting, I couldn't sleep last night, I couldn't lay down, Every time I breathe it expands my ribcage and aggrevates my ribs.

Interviewer:
How do you think your conditioning was for this fight?

BJ:
I was training great. I trained 5 to 6 rounds a couple times a week. I was also doing explosive cardio and getting proper rest.

Interviewer:
Anything to say to your fans?

BJ:
Thanks for your support. I already got a lot of emails from my fans. Thank you very much.
Keep checking my site and I'll keep you posted.

Interviewer:
So what is next for BJ Penn?

BJ:
I've got to take care of my ribs, so I'm taking 2 months off, and my suspension for the TKO. I talked to Dana and he said to give him a call when I'm ready to fight. It takes a long time to prepare for these fights and I'm very disappointed I got injured like that. I gotta sit down for a couple weeks and clear my head and see where I am in fighting.

Penn receives a shot to reclaim UFC title

Friday, 25th August 2006 at 10:52AM
Honolulu Advertiser Interviews BJ
Posted by BJPenn.com Staff Writer

Hilo's BJ Penn said he had a difficult time sleeping the past few nights.

Maybe it's because a dream match-up was in the making.

Penn found out yesterday that he will face Matt Hughes of Illinois for the Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight world title on Sept. 23 at Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, Calif.

"As soon as I got the call from UFC, I was crying tears of joy for about 15 minutes," Penn said. "This means everything for me. I can't even explain how happy and excited I am."

Penn and Hughes are widely considered to be two of the best "pound-for-pound" competitors in the sport of mixed martial arts.

They also have a somewhat controversial history.

Penn defeated Hughes by rear-naked choke submission for the UFC welterweight (170-pound class) championship on Jan. 31, 2004.

A few months later, Penn was stripped of the championship because he accepted a bout outside of the UFC organization.

Hughes then won the vacant title in October 2004, and has held it ever since.

"I can make everything correct now," Penn said. "I can't believe I'm going to be the world champion again."

Penn, 28, has a professional record of 10-3-1. He is a jiu-jitsu master, and all three of his losses have come via decision.

Hughes, 33, has a mix of boxing and wrestling skills, and his professional record is 39-4. He is 18-1 since March 2001, with the only loss coming against Penn.

"I think we're both a lot more experienced since the last time (in 2004)," Penn said. "But every fight is different. I just have to go in ready to lay the smack down on him again."

Canada's Georges St. Pierre was originally scheduled to face Hughes for the title on Sept. 23. However, St.Pierre recently withdrew from the bout because he injured his groin during a training session.

Penn said one month's notice is more than enough time for him to prepare for Hughes.

"I'm actually 172 (pounds) right now — I was tired of being fat," Penn said. "I'm in shape. I was supposed to fight in October anyway, so I'll be ready."

NOTES

BJ Penn's legal case involving an assault charge against a Honolulu police officer remains ongoing. His attorney, Michael Green, said the Sept. 23 bout will not interfere with any court proceedings.

Source: The Honolulu Advertiser