Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza makes weight during the Strikeforce weigh in at Valley View Casino Center on August 17, 2012 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Esther Lin for Strikeforce.com)
Unlike many fighters who compete professionally in the sport of mixed martial arts, the goal of fighting inside the Octagon is not something former Strikeforce middleweight champ Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza (15-2, 1NC) is aspiring too just now.
The submission specialist simply wants to make more money and simply wants Strikeforce too book him fights more than twice a year.
Souza spoke to ESPN.com about his concerns in an interview regarding tonight’s fight with Derek Burnson in the co-main event of Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman. ‘Jacare’ is 1-1 in his last two bouts, with a third round submission win over Bristol Marunde last March in his previous fight.
“I work for Strikeforce, so I talk about Strikeforce,” Souza told ESPN.com. “I cannot talk about other events. I signed a paper and I’ve got to be a man and follow it.
“For sure I want to fight more often, though.”
“Imagine you fight twice a year,” Faria said. “You pay for training, rent, food, support your kids — it’s not easy. If you only fight twice a year, you don’t make that much money, how can you survive? But if you have a second job, how can you be an athlete at this level?”
“I like fighting anybody,” Souza said. “It doesn’t matter who the guy is or what his record is. I make sure I’m focused and ready to go in there and do my best.”