Now his focus is back on MMA, and he will face Todd Gouwenberg (Pictures) on Friday in Canada at Hardcore Championship Fighting. In two interviews with Sherdog.com, the first in Brazil with Gleidson Venga and the second the day before he fights in Canada, "Minotoro" discusses his return.
You haven't fought MMA
since February because you were dedicating yourself to amateur
boxing. What are your expectations for your return?
My expectations are the
best. I've been away from MMA for one year because I was focusing
on amateur boxing, and after that I was waiting for an opportunity
to come back. I trained a lot and I hope to start this year on the
right foot. I improved a lot and I'll be back more aggressive.
Do you think that this time away
can harm your conditioning, rhythm or anything like that?
I think that because I've
been training all of this time, including boxing competitions, I'm
in rhythm. I believe I'll be back very well, with my cardio and
techniques sharper. The boxing training helped me a lot; it gave me
a lot of confidence on my feet. This experience I had was very good
for me because I fought against the best guys in the world. It gave
me a lot of confidence and added a lot to my game.
How was your training for this
match at the HCF?
I trained hard. Our team is
very united, everybody helping everybody. Everyone has a fight
scheduled, so we all helped our teammates. Even the guys who won't
fight for now come to the gym everyday to train. That's why I must
thank my teammates and coaches also. We joined together a very
united team and we are very excited about our all-new training
facility. For sure our team will make a lot of noise.
Talking about your new team, how
are the training sessions over there? Who is with you?
There are a lot of good
people along with us. Anderson Silva helped us in our
training, Vitor Belfort
(Pictures), a lot of new talented
fighters who will shine very soon. There are a lot of surprises
coming. Plus we have fighters who have been with us since the
beginning, great coaches also. The best possible.
About the HCF, do you know your
opponent? What have you seen about him?
He is a tough guy who walks
into the fight. He likes to strike on his feet and is very
aggressive. But we will see how he will react in the fight when I
take him down. I'll try to impose my rhythm on the ground. I think
this will make the difference, and my striking skills are very
good.
What do you think about the
Canadians investing in this sport? Do you believe MMA will be
successful there?
They are excited. MMA is
growing a lot in Canada. I was searching for my opponent's fight on
the Internet and I saw the advertisements for this event. They are
investing a lot on the sport there. This will be my debut in
Canada, and for sure I want to fight well to take my place on the
stage there.
Tell us about your plans for
2008?
I have a three-fight
contract. I want to fulfill it soon and decide if I'll sign a new
contract or if I'll fight for another organization. Now I'm in the
HCF, and everything I can do to help them grow, I'll do. I'll give
my best not only to win my fights, but to help MMA be known in
Canada, to help them spread the sport. I'll give my best to fight
well and for people to know my name in Canada. I want to be back
soon among the top in my weight class.
And what are your expectations
for your brother, Antonio Rodrigo
Nogueira (Pictures), fighting for the UFC's
heavyweight title one day after your fight in Canada?
I'm very anxious. Rodrigo is
well trained, very strong. He trained his cardio a lot, is sharp on
takedowns, striking and BJJ. He is 100 percent. This will be one of
the most important fights in his career. He knows how important
this match is. Rodrigo is a serious guy and he has trained over
three months for this match. I'm sure he will show a great
performance and capture this title. We both are very focused to
win, to please everybody who supports our job