UFC on FUEL TV 10's Ronny Markes: Most fighters give 70 percent; I'm only at 30

Ronny Markes, who quietly goes for his eighth straight win and fourth straight UFC victory this weekend at UFC on FUEL TV 10, wants to talk numbers.

Specifically, he wants to talk about the amount of effort fighters give during training camp and what they have left to give on fight night. And more specifically, he wants to explain why we haven’t seen anything close to his best.

“As athletes, I’m not sure if people will agree with me, but we train at 100 percent so that on fight day we can give at least 70 percent,” he told MMAjunkie.com, referencing the grueling and sometimes injury-riddled 12-week camps. “I feel I haven’t demonstrated more than 30 percent of my real abilities. I know some of my decision wins may have been boring for the audience. I believe part of it was lack of confidence on my part.”

However, Markes (14-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) said his confidence is soaring ahead of Saturday’s preliminary-card bout with fellow middleweight Derek Brunson (10-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC), which takes place at Paulo Sarasate Arena in Fortaleza, Brazil. With three bouts – and wins over Karlos Vemola, Aaron Simpson and Andrew Craig – in the UFC, Markes now is feeling comfortable in the cage.

Now, as he returns to his home country, he hopes to score the types of stoppages that were the hallmark of his early career in Brazil.

“I’ve been letting the pressure of being in the UFC get to me, and I’ve been playing it safe for fear of losing,” he said. “But I think little by little, I’m becoming more confident, and God willing, on my next fight, I’ll unleash. My head is in the right place now. Now I hope to give 70 percent or more, based on how hard I train. You’ll see that Ronny Markes isn’t simply that guy who uses jiu-jitsu and wrestling to neutralize his opponents.”

Markes hopes a win on Saturday will lead to ranked opponents in future fights. Brunson works with famed trainer Greg Jackson, so Markes knows his opponent will come prepared. But as a student of notable Andre Pederneiras, who also works with UFC champs Jose Aldo and Renan Barao, Markes also will come to the fight with a detailed game plan. He’s also worked extensively with training partners such as Francisco “Kiko” France, Thales Leites, Jorge Rodrigues Silva, Caio Magalhaes, Carlos Eduardo and members of the Brazilian wrestling team.

“You can be sure I’ll put on a great fight,” he said.

But he has another reason for wanting to end the fight in impressive fashion. Growing up in a poor neighborhood, Markes estimates he lost 40 percent of his friends to drugs. He said a few relatives died to crack addiction. Now, as a father of two, he doesn’t want his kids – or any others – to experience that type of childhood.

So he spends his own money on martial-arts equipment for the kids in his community of Ponta Negra in Natal. It gets them off the street, gives them structure and instills values in them. So a big bonus check on Saturday could go a long ways toward his goal.

“When I was a kid, we couldn’t afford to buy any of the materials for martial arts class,” he said. “Now I have a chance to help these children. I love it when I come to visit them. They all run to see me when I drive up. It’s such a joy. I’d love to find some sponsors, but I’m willing to do it alone. And if I win an ‘of the night’ bonus, then I certainly won’t need any help.”

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