A lot has changed since the first time Junior dos Santos was booked into a fight against Alistair Overeem, and “Cigano” has looked to make improvements ahead of his UFC on FOX 17 clash with the Dutch heavyweight.
A former UFC heavyweight champion, dos Santos moved his camp to Nova Uniao and returned to the win column with a hard-fought decision victory over Stipe Miocic in his only appearance inside the Octagon in 2014. Yet training in a gym full of lightweights wasn’t the right fit for a 240-pound boxer.
Fighting on Dec. 19, exactly a year after his last UFC fight, “Cigano” has decided to once again change camps, joining Florida’s American Top Team (ATT).
“I will be here in Miami my entire camp,” dos Santos told MMAFighting.com. “I came here before to visit the team and they all treated me really well, ‘Conan’ (Marcus Silveira), Dan Lambert, Ricardo Liborio. I was happy with the way they treated and welcomed me, so I decided to do my camp here. I’m enjoying it, and training has been great.
“I’m glad I spent some time working at Nova Uniao, especially with professor ‘Dede’ (Andre Pederneiras). He’s an amazing person and I will be forever thankful,” he continued. “But I decided to come to ATT because I have more heavyweights to train here, and more light-heavyweights too — I like to work with light-heavyweights because they are faster, so I can work on my speed. And everything is easier here in America.”
Even though “everything is easier in America,” dos Santos doesn’t regret staying in Brazil that long.
“Many people told me I should have come to the United States earlier for a camp, but I always insisted on training in Brazil because I felt better training there,” he said. “I still feel good training in Brazil, but this time I decided to do this test, and I can see they were right. Things here happen in an easier way, and it has been great for me.”
Training in a gym full of decorated wrestlers, the Brazilian heavyweight doesn’t look back and wonder where he would be if he had moved to American Top Team before his second and third fights against Cain Velasquez.
“I don’t think about that,” dos Santos said. “That’s in the past. But wrestling is obviously strong here. We have several great training partners to help here. Steve Mocco, who conducts wrestling training and teaches the techniques, is… wow. His wrestling is such high level, and he’s a great guy too. Learning with him has been great. I’m learning a lot, working on a my wrestling and jiu-jitsu, adding a few kicks to my game with Katel (Kubis) to become a complete fighter, but I will never forget by boxing. It has been a great opportunity for me, and I’m training everything.”
Wrestling is an important addition to dos Santos’ arsenal, but it’s not something he expects to use in his upcoming bout. Sidelined from training for months due to multiple surgeries (right knee and deviated septum), the Brazilian heavyweight faces a decorated striker in Alistair Overeem next, and hopes the fight finally happens.
“The most important is that I have a date for my next fight. It doesn’t matter who I’m facing, I don’t pick opponents,” said “Cigano”, who had two previous bouts with Overeem cancelled before. “This is a great fight, he talked a lot and we were supposed to fight twice (in 2012 and 2013) but it didn’t happen, but I hope it does happen this time. Booking this fight brought me extra motivation to evolve, and I feel I’m getting better every day. I missed this, that’s what I wanted.
“I want to come back in great shape, especially against a guy like Overeem. He’s a veteran, a dangerous guy. He has a good kickboxing but also a good ground game, good guillotines and knees, so he’s dangerous. It’s going to be a great challenge to return against a high-level opponent, and that’s what I want. I want to fight the best to show everyone that I’m a different fighter today. Everything that happened to me in the past, my losses and the fights I didn’t perform well, happened because I wasn’t mature enough. I’m more mature now, more patient and confident to use my entire skillset.”
“Cigano” believes he’s a different fighter since the first time he was booked to face Overeem, but also expects a completely different “Reem.”
“He has evolved too,” said the Brazilian. “He always showed up really strong, at the limit of the heavyweight division, full of muscles. And I think that moving to Greg Jackson was a good move for him. His experience combined with the experience of the team was good for him. He has evolved, he’s moving better.”
Overeem weighed in at 247 pounds before his last UFC bout against Roy Nelson, the lightest he’s been since his 2008 victory over Gary Goodridge in Netherlands. The Dutch heavyweight tested positive for elevated testosterone levels ahead of his first clash with “Cigano” in 2012, and the Brazilian hopes the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) test them “as much as possible” before UFC on FOX 17.
“I hear that people who used drugs and performance enhancing steroids before can’t simply stop using them, and I really hope USADA and the UFC do a good job,” he said. “They want a clean sport, and so do I. I became a world champion without touching illegal drugs, so I want a clean sport more than anyone. If the UFC can really make this new anti-doping policy work, the sport will completely change.
“Several fighters that fans know and admire, who had good performances throughout their career, might change now. And fighters who lost close fights because they weren’t using anything, might win now,” he continued. “I support this new policy, and I hope they test us as much as possible so everyone knows for sure we’re both clean on fight night. Everybody wants to find out who is the great champion, not a champion who hides behind drugs. I really hope this time Overeem doesn’t use anything, and let the best man win.”
A win over Overeem would put dos Santos close to another shot at the title. However, with Fabricio Werdum vs. Cain Velasquez apparently delayed until March, you can’t make plans right now.
“I want to become the heavyweight champion again, showing that everything that happened completely changed me,” dos Santos said. “I feel in great shape to fight and become champion. I’m sure it will happen, but I’m not in a hurry.”
The only man to win both Werdum and Velasquez in MMA, “Cigano” believes he should be the next in line instead of giving Velasquez an immediate rematch.
“I was hoping to fight for the title now in a rematch against Werdum,” he said. “He did well against Velasquez, and I think it was maybe the only opportunity to make this rematch happen in a good moment. He’s 38, and I think it was the perfect moment for a rematch. But it’s up to the UFC and we have other fights booked already. I have Alistair Overeem in front of me and that’s what I’m thinking. That’s what matters to me right now.”
When “Cigano” says now could be the “only opportunity” to make this rematch against Werdum, it doesn’t mean he’s picking Velasquez in a rematch. However, he expects the former champion to show up in a better shape when they meet again next year.
“Velasquez is one of a kind, and he always shows up in great shape. He doesn’t get tired, except for this fight,” said dos Santos. “He gassed in the first round this time. He blamed the altitude, and that might be the case. I believe Werdum fought a different Velasquez than the one I fought. But Werdum had a great performance, my hats off to him. However, if the altitude really affected Velasquez, it’s going to be a completely different fight for Werdum.
“Werdum has a good shot at winning again because jiu-jitsu is his best weapon, and Velasquez’s wrestling is his best weapon but he won’t take Werdum down. Werdum’s ground game is really dangerous. Even the best of all times was trapped by his triangle, so Cain Velasquez won’t risk. Werdum’s best weapon might complicate things for Cain Velasquez.”
Gunning for another shot at the title, dos Santos believes he has what it takes to win the gold. He admits “Vai Cavalo” has evolved a lot since their first clash in 2008, when “Cigano” put him out cold with a vicious uppercut in 81 seconds, but hasn’t evolved enough.
“I have to be confident,” said the former champion. “I’m faster than him, I have better striking abilities. He’s better now, professor Rafael Cordeiro improved his muay thai, but improving your muay thai is different than having striking as your main martial art. I’ve done this my entire life. I can create more opportunities standing.
“If the fight goes to the ground, he’s the favorite. But I see myself beating him again, and by knockout. First- or second-round knockout.”
A lot has changed since the first time Junior dos Santos was booked into a fight against Alistair Overeem, and “Cigano” has looked to make improvements ahead of his UFC on FOX 17 clash with the Dutch heavyweight.
A former UFC heavyweight champion, dos Santos moved his camp to Nova Uniao and returned to the win column with a hard-fought decision victory over Stipe Miocic in his only appearance inside the Octagon in 2014. Yet training in a gym full of lightweights wasn’t the right fit for a 240-pound boxer.
Fighting on Dec. 19, exactly a year after his last UFC fight, “Cigano” has decided to once again change camps, joining Florida’s American Top Team (ATT).
“I will be here in Miami my entire camp,” dos Santos told MMAFighting.com. “I came here before to visit the team and they all treated me really well, ‘Conan’ (Marcus Silveira), Dan Lambert, Ricardo Liborio. I was happy with the way they treated and welcomed me, so I decided to do my camp here. I’m enjoying it, and training has been great.
“I’m glad I spent some time working at Nova Uniao, especially with professor ‘Dede’ (Andre Pederneiras). He’s an amazing person and I will be forever thankful,” he continued. “But I decided to come to ATT because I have more heavyweights to train here, and more light-heavyweights too — I like to work with light-heavyweights because they are faster, so I can work on my speed. And everything is easier here in America.”
Even though “everything is easier in America,” dos Santos doesn’t regret staying in Brazil that long.
“Many people told me I should have come to the United States earlier for a camp, but I always insisted on training in Brazil because I felt better training there,” he said. “I still feel good training in Brazil, but this time I decided to do this test, and I can see they were right. Things here happen in an easier way, and it has been great for me.”
Training in a gym full of decorated wrestlers, the Brazilian heavyweight doesn’t look back and wonder where he would be if he had moved to American Top Team before his second and third fights against Cain Velasquez.
“I don’t think about that,” dos Santos said. “That’s in the past. But wrestling is obviously strong here. We have several great training partners to help here. Steve Mocco, who conducts wrestling training and teaches the techniques, is… wow. His wrestling is such high level, and he’s a great guy too. Learning with him has been great. I’m learning a lot, working on a my wrestling and jiu-jitsu, adding a few kicks to my game with Katel (Kubis) to become a complete fighter, but I will never forget by boxing. It has been a great opportunity for me, and I’m training everything.”
Wrestling is an important addition to dos Santos’ arsenal, but it’s not something he expects to use in his upcoming bout. Sidelined from training for months due to multiple surgeries (right knee and deviated septum), the Brazilian heavyweight faces a decorated striker in Alistair Overeem next, and hopes the fight finally happens.
“The most important is that I have a date for my next fight. It doesn’t matter who I’m facing, I don’t pick opponents,” said “Cigano”, who had two previous bouts with Overeem cancelled before. “This is a great fight, he talked a lot and we were supposed to fight twice (in 2012 and 2013) but it didn’t happen, but I hope it does happen this time. Booking this fight brought me extra motivation to evolve, and I feel I’m getting better every day. I missed this, that’s what I wanted.
“I want to come back in great shape, especially against a guy like Overeem. He’s a veteran, a dangerous guy. He has a good kickboxing but also a good ground game, good guillotines and knees, so he’s dangerous. It’s going to be a great challenge to return against a high-level opponent, and that’s what I want. I want to fight the best to show everyone that I’m a different fighter today. Everything that happened to me in the past, my losses and the fights I didn’t perform well, happened because I wasn’t mature enough. I’m more mature now, more patient and confident to use my entire skillset.”
“Cigano” believes he’s a different fighter since the first time he was booked to face Overeem, but also expects a completely different “Reem.”
“He has evolved too,” said the Brazilian. “He always showed up really strong, at the limit of the heavyweight division, full of muscles. And I think that moving to Greg Jackson was a good move for him. His experience combined with the experience of the team was good for him. He has evolved, he’s moving better.”
Overeem weighed in at 247 pounds before his last UFC bout against Roy Nelson, the lightest he’s been since his 2008 victory over Gary Goodridge in Netherlands. The Dutch heavyweight tested positive for elevated testosterone levels ahead of his first clash with “Cigano” in 2012, and the Brazilian hopes the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) test them “as much as possible” before UFC on FOX 17.
“I hear that people who used drugs and performance enhancing steroids before can’t simply stop using them, and I really hope USADA and the UFC do a good job,” he said. “They want a clean sport, and so do I. I became a world champion without touching illegal drugs, so I want a clean sport more than anyone. If the UFC can really make this new anti-doping policy work, the sport will completely change.
“Several fighters that fans know and admire, who had good performances throughout their career, might change now. And fighters who lost close fights because they weren’t using anything, might win now,” he continued. “I support this new policy, and I hope they test us as much as possible so everyone knows for sure we’re both clean on fight night. Everybody wants to find out who is the great champion, not a champion who hides behind drugs. I really hope this time Overeem doesn’t use anything, and let the best man win.”
A win over Overeem would put dos Santos close to another shot at the title. However, with Fabricio Werdum vs. Cain Velasquez apparently delayed until March, you can’t make plans right now.
“I want to become the heavyweight champion again, showing that everything that happened completely changed me,” dos Santos said. “I feel in great shape to fight and become champion. I’m sure it will happen, but I’m not in a hurry.”
The only man to win both Werdum and Velasquez in MMA, “Cigano” believes he should be the next in line instead of giving Velasquez an immediate rematch.
“I was hoping to fight for the title now in a rematch against Werdum,” he said. “He did well against Velasquez, and I think it was maybe the only opportunity to make this rematch happen in a good moment. He’s 38, and I think it was the perfect moment for a rematch. But it’s up to the UFC and we have other fights booked already. I have Alistair Overeem in front of me and that’s what I’m thinking. That’s what matters to me right now.”
When “Cigano” says now could be the “only opportunity” to make this rematch against Werdum, it doesn’t mean he’s picking Velasquez in a rematch. However, he expects the former champion to show up in a better shape when they meet again next year.
“Velasquez is one of a kind, and he always shows up in great shape. He doesn’t get tired, except for this fight,” said dos Santos. “He gassed in the first round this time. He blamed the altitude, and that might be the case. I believe Werdum fought a different Velasquez than the one I fought. But Werdum had a great performance, my hats off to him. However, if the altitude really affected Velasquez, it’s going to be a completely different fight for Werdum.
“Werdum has a good shot at winning again because jiu-jitsu is his best weapon, and Velasquez’s wrestling is his best weapon but he won’t take Werdum down. Werdum’s ground game is really dangerous. Even the best of all times was trapped by his triangle, so Cain Velasquez won’t risk. Werdum’s best weapon might complicate things for Cain Velasquez.”
Gunning for another shot at the title, dos Santos believes he has what it takes to win the gold. He admits “Vai Cavalo” has evolved a lot since their first clash in 2008, when “Cigano” put him out cold with a vicious uppercut in 81 seconds, but hasn’t evolved enough.
“I have to be confident,” said the former champion. “I’m faster than him, I have better striking abilities. He’s better now, professor Rafael Cordeiro improved his muay thai, but improving your muay thai is different than having striking as your main martial art. I’ve done this my entire life. I can create more opportunities standing.
“If the fight goes to the ground, he’s the favorite. But I see myself beating him again, and by knockout. First- or second-round knockout.”
John Lineker struggled to make 125 pounds throughout his entire UFC career, and is finally moving up to bantamweight.
The Brazilian striker, who missed weight four times during his 6-2 run as a flyweight inside the Octagon, meets Francisco Rivera in a 135-pound bout at UFC 191 on Sept. 5, and feels better now that he’s back to the bantamweight division.
“I was sad because that win over Ian McCall would get me a title shot, but I understand them moving me up to 135 pounds,” Lineker told MMAFighting.com. “That division wasn’t the best for me. I was too heavy. I understand Dana White making me move up to bantamweight. That’s my original weight class to begin with. I won the Jungle Fight title in this division. I have to be where I fight better.”
Lineker makes his bantamweight debut after winning six of his last seven fights with four knockouts, and didn’t change much in his training camp for UFC 191.
“It’s basically the same strong preparation I did when I was fighting at flyweight, but now I train with heavier sparring partners to adapt to this division,” he said. “I’m feeling way better now, training at 145 pounds. I train better at this weight, and I can easily cut to 135. I’ll fight at my best, and I will perform better in the fight.”
Before signing with the UFC and moving down to 125 pounds, Lineker racked up a 19-5 record facing heavier opponents in Brazil, and he believes his style matches better against bigger, taller competition.
“I fight better when I’m fighting taller opponents,” he said. “I’m used to fighting taller opponents, so that’s not an issue for me. I adapt better to this type of fight.”
Rivera will have a huge height and reach advantage over Lineker when they meet in Las Vegas, but the Brazilian is confident he will be able to finish the California-native.
“I like this fight,” Lineker said. “What I like the most about this fight is that he likes to trade punches, just like me, but we don’t know if he wants to trade punches with me. This is a great match-up for me style-wise, but we’ll see if he will try to stand against me.”
“I see myself knocking him out, just like in every fight,” he added. “I hope I get another knockout.”
After losing a title shot at 125 pounds due to his weight cutting issues, Lineker is not in a hurry, but will work his way up for a shot at 135-pound champion T.J. Dillashaw.
“I try not to think about this too much. I just want to fight well,” he said. “(Rivera) was well ranked in the division, but recently moved down. I want to fight well and win, and leave this talk for later. Like I did at flyweight, I want to slowly move up the bantamweight rankings. One day I’ll get the chance to fight the champion.”
John Lineker struggled to make 125 pounds throughout his entire UFC career, and is finally moving up to bantamweight.
The Brazilian striker, who missed weight four times during his 6-2 run as a flyweight inside the Octagon, meets Francisco Rivera in a 135-pound bout at UFC 191 on Sept. 5, and feels better now that he’s back to the bantamweight division.
“I was sad because that win over Ian McCall would get me a title shot, but I understand them moving me up to 135 pounds,” Lineker told MMAFighting.com. “That division wasn’t the best for me. I was too heavy. I understand Dana White making me move up to bantamweight. That’s my original weight class to begin with. I won the Jungle Fight title in this division. I have to be where I fight better.”
Lineker makes his bantamweight debut after winning six of his last seven fights with four knockouts, and didn’t change much in his training camp for UFC 191.
“It’s basically the same strong preparation I did when I was fighting at flyweight, but now I train with heavier sparring partners to adapt to this division,” he said. “I’m feeling way better now, training at 145 pounds. I train better at this weight, and I can easily cut to 135. I’ll fight at my best, and I will perform better in the fight.”
Before signing with the UFC and moving down to 125 pounds, Lineker racked up a 19-5 record facing heavier opponents in Brazil, and he believes his style matches better against bigger, taller competition.
“I fight better when I’m fighting taller opponents,” he said. “I’m used to fighting taller opponents, so that’s not an issue for me. I adapt better to this type of fight.”
Rivera will have a huge height and reach advantage over Lineker when they meet in Las Vegas, but the Brazilian is confident he will be able to finish the California-native.
“I like this fight,” Lineker said. “What I like the most about this fight is that he likes to trade punches, just like me, but we don’t know if he wants to trade punches with me. This is a great match-up for me style-wise, but we’ll see if he will try to stand against me.”
“I see myself knocking him out, just like in every fight,” he added. “I hope I get another knockout.”
After losing a title shot at 125 pounds due to his weight cutting issues, Lineker is not in a hurry, but will work his way up for a shot at 135-pound champion T.J. Dillashaw.
“I try not to think about this too much. I just want to fight well,” he said. “(Rivera) was well ranked in the division, but recently moved down. I want to fight well and win, and leave this talk for later. Like I did at flyweight, I want to slowly move up the bantamweight rankings. One day I’ll get the chance to fight the champion.”
Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor will finally meet at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Dec. 12, and the featherweights heated things up during Friday’s “Go Big” UFC press conference in Las Vegas.
The Brazilian champion flew from Rio de Janeiro to Las Vegas to talk to the media a week before and visit the set of The Ultimate Fighter, where McGregor was coaching a season opposite Urijah Faber. According to Aldo, “The Notorious” wasn’t expecting to see him there.
“He was surprised when he saw me,” Aldo said at the press conference. “Another day goes by and I see him as a clown. He likes to make people laugh, and everybody likes to listen him talk to laugh at his face. He was scared when he saw me, he wasn’t expecting for this surprise.
“He came to shake my hand. He’s a clown. He saw me and became scared. With his pants torn, embarrassing himself. He’s sh-t. He saw me and came to shake my hand. I think he’s funny. I like to laugh, and he makes me laugh. I’m waiting and preparing to fight. I know I’m going to win. I have to laugh at him, that’s what I have left right now.”
Aldo had to pull out from a fight with McGregor on July 11 due to a rib injury, and the Irish featherweight defeated Chad Mendes to win the interim title. The Nova Uniao fighter, who left the press conference early to catch a flight, is anxious to finally fight “The Notorious”.
“I see him as nothing,” Aldo said. “Too bad I wasn’t able to fight him that day. But if God wants, I’ll get there and shut his mouth on December 12.”
With two wins over Mendes under his belt, Aldo didn’t sound impressed about McGregor’s win over “Money” in July.
“F–k, this guy got beat up. (Mendes) was on vacation, fishing. He looked like a turtle. I felt sorry,” said Aldo. “Has (McGregor) ever heard about jiu-jitsu and wrestling in his life? He actually believes the things he says and laughs at himself. F–k, he’s nothing.”
Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor will finally meet at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Dec. 12, and the featherweights heated things up during Friday’s “Go Big” UFC press conference in Las Vegas.
The Brazilian champion flew from Rio de Janeiro to Las Vegas to talk to the media a week before and visit the set of The Ultimate Fighter, where McGregor was coaching a season opposite Urijah Faber. According to Aldo, “The Notorious” wasn’t expecting to see him there.
“He was surprised when he saw me,” Aldo said at the press conference. “Another day goes by and I see him as a clown. He likes to make people laugh, and everybody likes to listen him talk to laugh at his face. He was scared when he saw me, he wasn’t expecting for this surprise.
“He came to shake my hand. He’s a clown. He saw me and became scared. With his pants torn, embarrassing himself. He’s sh-t. He saw me and came to shake my hand. I think he’s funny. I like to laugh, and he makes me laugh. I’m waiting and preparing to fight. I know I’m going to win. I have to laugh at him, that’s what I have left right now.”
Aldo had to pull out from a fight with McGregor on July 11 due to a rib injury, and the Irish featherweight defeated Chad Mendes to win the interim title. The Nova Uniao fighter, who left the press conference early to catch a flight, is anxious to finally fight “The Notorious”.
“I see him as nothing,” Aldo said. “Too bad I wasn’t able to fight him that day. But if God wants, I’ll get there and shut his mouth on December 12.”
With two wins over Mendes under his belt, Aldo didn’t sound impressed about McGregor’s win over “Money” in July.
“F–k, this guy got beat up. (Mendes) was on vacation, fishing. He looked like a turtle. I felt sorry,” said Aldo. “Has (McGregor) ever heard about jiu-jitsu and wrestling in his life? He actually believes the things he says and laughs at himself. F–k, he’s nothing.”
Another exciting match-up was added to UFC 194 in Las Vegas, as the promotion announced Friday that grappling experts Demian Maia and Gunnar Nelson are set to meet at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Dec. 12.
Coming off a dominant victory over Neil Magny in Augusts, snapping Magny’s seven-fight winning streak with a second-round submission in Rio de Janeiro, Maia (21-6) looks for his fourth straight victory after scoring wins over Alexander Yakovlev, Ryan LaFlare and Magny.
Nelson (14-1-1), who suffered his first professional loss to Rick Story last October, bounced back to the win column with a quick submission victory over dangerous Brandon Thatch in July. A training partner of Conor McGregor at SBG Ireland, “Gunny” is 5-1 inside the Octagon.
Headlined by Jose Aldo vs. Conor McGregor for the featherweight championship, UFC 194 will also feature a middleweight title bout between 185-pound kingpin Chris Weidman and former Strikeforce champion Luke Rockhold.
Another exciting match-up was added to UFC 194 in Las Vegas, as the promotion announced Friday that grappling experts Demian Maia and Gunnar Nelson are set to meet at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Dec. 12.
Coming off a dominant victory over Neil Magny in Augusts, snapping Magny’s seven-fight winning streak with a second-round submission in Rio de Janeiro, Maia (21-6) looks for his fourth straight victory after scoring wins over Alexander Yakovlev, Ryan LaFlare and Magny.
Nelson (14-1-1), who suffered his first professional loss to Rick Story last October, bounced back to the win column with a quick submission victory over dangerous Brandon Thatch in July. A training partner of Conor McGregor at SBG Ireland, “Gunny” is 5-1 inside the Octagon.
Headlined by Jose Aldo vs. Conor McGregor for the featherweight championship, UFC 194 will also feature a middleweight title bout between 185-pound kingpin Chris Weidman and former Strikeforce champion Luke Rockhold.
Ronny Markes doesn’t want to fight for World Series of Fighting anymore.
The Brazilian light heavyweight, who hasn’t fought since a unanimous decision victory over Cully Butterfield in his promotional debut in 2014, was forced out of a bout with Dave Branch last April moments before the official weigh-ins due to illness. He believes that’s why the promotion has yet to offer him a new bout.
“I’m not happy with this time off. I’m seeing things happen for everyone, lots of athletes fighting, and I’m here waiting,” Markes told MMAFighting.com. “I guess they were upset that I got sick before my last fight in April, but that’s explain it because Matt Hamill also pulled out of his fight and he already has another one booked.”
According to the Nova Uniao fighter, WSOF executive Ali Abdel-Aziz has offered him a fight on Dec. 28, but he’s not confident the bout will materialize.
“I contacted them in July and at first they said I would fight in October, but now said the card is full. Then they said November wouldn’t be possible, and now they are saying I will fight on Dec. 28, at WSOF 26,” he said.
During this time off from WSOF, Markes was offered a fight at Shooto Brazil. However, he would have to sign a six-month extension with WSOF in order to compete in Rio de Janeiro.
“I’m super unhappy in this organization. It’s clear that they don’t want me there, but won’t let me go,” Markes said. “I asked them to release me from the contract. I asked them to fight for Shooto in Brazil, but they said I would automatically renew for more six months with them if I did. I have no interest being signed with them anymore. I want to cut ties with them as soon as possible. I don’t want to stay one more day with them.”
With only one fight in over a year since signing with WSOF, Markes hopes Ali Abdel-Aziz gives him a fight in December, and then lets him go.
“I hope Mr. Ali honors his word and gives me a fight in December,” he said. “I want to be free of this contract as soon as possible. They pay us well, as well as the UFC does, but to fight once a year? I’m an athlete and money is important, but it sucks to stay away for this long. I fought in August of 2014 and will apparently fight in December. I’m honestly scared that they will change plans one more time. I hope Mr. Ali honors his word and gives me a fight.”
Ronny Markes doesn’t want to fight for World Series of Fighting anymore.
The Brazilian light heavyweight, who hasn’t fought since a unanimous decision victory over Cully Butterfield in his promotional debut in 2014, was forced out of a bout with Dave Branch last April moments before the official weigh-ins due to illness. He believes that’s why the promotion has yet to offer him a new bout.
“I’m not happy with this time off. I’m seeing things happen for everyone, lots of athletes fighting, and I’m here waiting,” Markes told MMAFighting.com. “I guess they were upset that I got sick before my last fight in April, but that’s explain it because Matt Hamill also pulled out of his fight and he already has another one booked.”
According to the Nova Uniao fighter, WSOF executive Ali Abdel-Aziz has offered him a fight on Dec. 28, but he’s not confident the bout will materialize.
“I contacted them in July and at first they said I would fight in October, but now said the card is full. Then they said November wouldn’t be possible, and now they are saying I will fight on Dec. 28, at WSOF 26,” he said.
During this time off from WSOF, Markes was offered a fight at Shooto Brazil. However, he would have to sign a six-month extension with WSOF in order to compete in Rio de Janeiro.
“I’m super unhappy in this organization. It’s clear that they don’t want me there, but won’t let me go,” Markes said. “I asked them to release me from the contract. I asked them to fight for Shooto in Brazil, but they said I would automatically renew for more six months with them if I did. I have no interest being signed with them anymore. I want to cut ties with them as soon as possible. I don’t want to stay one more day with them.”
With only one fight in over a year since signing with WSOF, Markes hopes Ali Abdel-Aziz gives him a fight in December, and then lets him go.
“I hope Mr. Ali honors his word and gives me a fight in December,” he said. “I want to be free of this contract as soon as possible. They pay us well, as well as the UFC does, but to fight once a year? I’m an athlete and money is important, but it sucks to stay away for this long. I fought in August of 2014 and will apparently fight in December. I’m honestly scared that they will change plans one more time. I hope Mr. Ali honors his word and gives me a fight.”
SAO PAULO — Five-time jiu-jitsu world champion as a black belt, Rodolfo Vieira earned his first ADCC title on Sunday, and he might be months away from making a transition to mixed martial arts.
Following his victory over Felipe Pena at the 99kg (218 pounds) ADCC 2015 final, Vieira spoke with Real Fight Championship promoters at the Mauro Pinheiro gymnasium in Sao Paulo, and was offered a contract.
“I got nervous when they made the offer, but will still think about it,” Vieira told MMAFighting.com, saying he plans on making his MMA debut in 2016. “They told me think about it, if I want to fight this year or in 2016. But it’s not an easy decision. I will talk to my coach and see what I’ll do.”
Competing at the 218-pound division in jiu-jitsu, Vieira would likely cut down to 185 to fight MMA.
“I’m too short for 205 pounds,” he said. “I believe I would have to fight at 185.”
Vieira slowly started training boxing and muay thai in 2013, but admits he’s not used getting punched in the face yet.
“No, not at all,” he said with a laugh. “I’ve trained a few times, but it’s hard to train getting punched and kicked in the face. But you get used with it.”
Vieira defeated some of the best grapplers this weekend in Sao Paulo, including a submission victory over former UFC lightweight champion Ben Henderson at the absolute division, where he placed third.
“I didn’t think he would be an easy match,” said Vieira. “I was planning on pulling guard because he’s a good wrestler and I was tired (after a 40-minute match at the -99kg final). He went for a takedown and I countered with a guillotine, swept and mounted. I took his back, went for an arm-triangle choke, but he defended. He’s really technical.
“I was able to lock a triangle choke and attack the kimura to get the submission. But his jiu-jitsu level surprised me a lot. He’s light, but he’s really good.”
SAO PAULO — Five-time jiu-jitsu world champion as a black belt, Rodolfo Vieira earned his first ADCC title on Sunday, and he might be months away from making a transition to mixed martial arts.
Following his victory over Felipe Pena at the 99kg (218 pounds) ADCC 2015 final, Vieira spoke with Real Fight Championship promoters at the Mauro Pinheiro gymnasium in Sao Paulo, and was offered a contract.
“I got nervous when they made the offer, but will still think about it,” Vieira told MMAFighting.com, saying he plans on making his MMA debut in 2016. “They told me think about it, if I want to fight this year or in 2016. But it’s not an easy decision. I will talk to my coach and see what I’ll do.”
Competing at the 218-pound division in jiu-jitsu, Vieira would likely cut down to 185 to fight MMA.
“I’m too short for 205 pounds,” he said. “I believe I would have to fight at 185.”
Vieira slowly started training boxing and muay thai in 2013, but admits he’s not used getting punched in the face yet.
“No, not at all,” he said with a laugh. “I’ve trained a few times, but it’s hard to train getting punched and kicked in the face. But you get used with it.”
Vieira defeated some of the best grapplers this weekend in Sao Paulo, including a submission victory over former UFC lightweight champion Ben Henderson at the absolute division, where he placed third.
“I didn’t think he would be an easy match,” said Vieira. “I was planning on pulling guard because he’s a good wrestler and I was tired (after a 40-minute match at the -99kg final). He went for a takedown and I countered with a guillotine, swept and mounted. I took his back, went for an arm-triangle choke, but he defended. He’s really technical.
“I was able to lock a triangle choke and attack the kimura to get the submission. But his jiu-jitsu level surprised me a lot. He’s light, but he’s really good.”
