Brazilian Notebook: Silva Refocusses
Gleidson Venga May 4, 2007
The boom that made mixed martial arts popular in the U.S. is about
to travel south to Brazil. During the past few weeks, several
events took place across the country, and there are a lot more
scheduled.
With athletes fighting in major events such as UFC and PRIDE, these homeland events are now calling the attention of the Brazilian audience.
Meanwhile, the Nogueira brothers were highlighted in a very popular
TV show … and Wanderlei is still waiting for Liddell.
Wanderlei still believes in a fight against Liddell
"I'm giving more focus on my technical training," Silva said. "I'm training boxing, my jiu-jitsu. I'm improving more. After years, you tend to become comfortable, but MMA is not accommodating; in the opposite way, it is evolving very fast. If I want to compete against the new guys who are rising, in equal conditions, or even against the old guys who are improving themselves, I have to improve myself. I'm working on my physical condition. With [losing the title to Henderson], my punishment is to work harder to get back to the top."
About the oft-discussed fight against UFC champion Chuck Liddell (Pictures), Silva still believes he will face the American.
"This fight will happen," Silva promised. "I'm sure. He won't be the champion forever. I can get back my title, or he can lose his own. In this world of fights, anything can happen. This year, if God wants, will be very good to me, and a lot of good things will happen. MMA is rising. Everybody who fights to live has a lot to win, and I will stay among them for a long time. This fight will happen, and if I'm getting old, he is getting older, so this fight will happen someday. I'm very calm, and I can wait for it."
Nogueira brothers speak to 15 millions Brazilians
"Domingão do Faustão," the highest rated television show on the highest rated network in Brazil, featured brothers Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Pictures) and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (Pictures) last Sunday.
"Minotauro" spoke about his childhood, mainly about his near-death experience when he was run over by a truck and put into a coma for several days, and how he overcame those hard moments to become PRIDE heavyweight champion.
Meanwhile, "Minotoro" also spoke about his older brother's accident (Rogerio was the first one to help his brother) and spoke about his invitation to the Pan-American games in Rio, where he will compete as a boxer.
The interview pleased all the Brazilian MMA community because the sport has not had much exposure on mainstream television, especially in front of the largest Brazilian audience.
New talents shine on XFC Brasil
Organized by Fabiano Iha (Pictures) and Marcus Vinicius de Luccia, the XFC Brasil took place last Sunday in Rio de Janeiro and featured a series of excellent bouts.
After receiving hundreds of fighting résumés sent from the whole of Brazil, the organization chose four athletes for each of the four tournaments on the card, thus revealing that Brazil has many talented fighters who will debut in the international scene very soon.
The four fighters chosen were Rafael dos Anjos (Gracie Barra Combat Team), Rafael "Sapo" (Gracie BH), Antonio Braga Neto (Gracie Barra Combat Team) and Junior Cigano (Champion/Minotauro Team).
Full results:
77 Kilograms
Maurício Souza (BTT) def. José Fabiano (Black House) footlock
Rafael dos Anjos (GBCT) def. Thiago Minú (Boxer) rear-naked choke
Finals - Rafael dos Anjos def. Maurício Souza rear-naked choke
83 Kilograms
Danilo "Motoserra" (GBCT) def. Gerson Silva (BTT) judges decision
Rafael "Sapo" (GB BH) def. Nailson Bahia (Nova União) armbar
Finals - Rafael "Sapo" def. Gerson Silva judges' decision
93 Kilograms
Antônio Braga Neto (GBCT) def. Eduardo Camilo (BTT) armlock
Cezar Jesus Ferreira (Black House) def. André Severo (IFF) TKO
Finals - Antônio Braga Neto def. Cezar Jesus Ferreira judges' decision
Heavyweight
André Mussi (Fight House) def. Joaquim Ferreira "Mamute" (GB BH) judges decision
Junior Cigano (Champion) def. Edson "Paredão" (Nova Geração Paraíba) TKO (doctor's stoppage)
Finals - Junior Cigano def. Joaquim "Mamute" tapout
Late-replacement Andre "Chatuba" wins in Max Fight 3
The arena was packed and the crowd was greeted with electrifying fights April 28 in Campinas, where the third installment of Max Fight took place.
Invited on the eve of the event, Andre "Chatuba" was one of the biggest surprises, submitting Adriano "Bad Boy" by arm-triangle choke in 28 seconds. In the main event, Flavio Alvaro defeated Mauricio Alonso by judges' decision.
Full Results:
Conterrâneo (Tozzi-Repanas) def. Nene (Nene Team) katagatame R1
Rodrigo Caporal (Pessoa/Ranieri Muay Thai) def. Carlos Ramon (Tozzi-Godoi) footlock R1
Lázaro Santos (Claudio Simões) def. Júlio Gomes (Impacto/André Gomes) KO R3
Roberto Tozzi (Tozzi-Godoi) def. Carlão dos Santos (Clã da Luta/Limeira) katagatame R1
Geordashy (GT) def. Edson PC (GB Campinas-Fight Fitness) armbar R1
Cassiano Tytschyo (Chute Boxe) def. Bolacha (Lotus) armbar R2
Munil Adriano (Clube da Luta) def. Felipe Vidal (Brasa) doctor's stoppage R2
André Chatuba (RFT) def. Adriano Bad Boy (Macaco) arm-triangle R1
Juliano Belgine (Brasa) def. Curió (Macaco) armbar R1
Flávio Álvaro (Macaco) def. Maurício Alonso (Gracie SP-Gibi Thai) judges' decision
"Chatuba" wins the Top Fighters tournament
Four days after his win in Max Fight, Andre "Chatuba" separated himself from the pack one more time by defeating two opponents in the same evening to capture a tournament crown in Top Fighters 3.
"Chatuba" defeated Ismael de Jesus in his first fight and submitted Rafael Capoeira by an arm-triangle choke in the finals. A student of Márcio Cromado's and representing the Luta Livre style, "Chatuba" promised to focus more on the international MMA scene.
The event also brought experienced athletes such as Luciano Azevedo (Pictures), Luis Ramos, José Aldo and Aloisio Barros.
Full Results:
85 Kilogram Tournament
Rafael Capoeira (GBCT) def. Pedro Manoel (Manimal) tapout R1 André Chatuba (RFT) def. Ismael de Jesus (Nova União) judges' decision
Final - André Chatuba def. Rafael Capoeira by arm-triangle R2
Single Fights
Luis Ramos (GBCT) def. Luciano Azevedo (Pictures) (RFT) judges' decision
Alex (Diego Braga) def. Cristiano "Bananada" (BTT) KO R1
Coelho (GBCT) def. D'Angelo (Pequeno) judges' decision
Fernando Paulon (BTT) def. Amílcar Alves (GBCT) rear-naked choke R2
Aloísio Barros (GBCT) def. Luis "Pimpolho" (Nova União) tapout 2R
José Aldo (Nova União) def. Fábio Mello (BTT) judges decision André "Minhoca" (Top Brothers) def. Denis Ascher (GBCT) judges' decision
Diego Nunes (Black House) def. Henrique Melo (Bruno Bastos) KO R1
Julian Jabá (RFT) def. Diego Braga (GBCT) judges' decision
Ivan Iberico beats a Brazilian in Peru
Peruvian Ivan Ibérico "Pitbull" earned another great victory in his career. The Alexandre Franca Nogueira (Pictures)-trained fighter faced Chute Boxe's Marcio Gracinha and won by decision. This fight took place on an Open Fight Peru card in Lima last Saturday.
Full results:
Cesar Ruiz def. Mustafa TKO R1
Diego Akita def. Juan Francisco TKO R1
Ivan Iberico "Pitbull" def. Marcio Gracinha judges' decision
Valeriano La Roca def. Renato Puente KO R2
Daniel La Hiena Aspe def. Angelo Tiburon Dias tapout R3
News and Notes
Pedro Rizzo (Pictures) is already in California helping his Master, Marco Ruas (Pictures), who will be back in the ring May 19 against Maurice Smith (Pictures) on the IFL card in Chicago. According to Rizzo, who appears lined up to fight Jeff Monson (Pictures) on an upcoming Art of War card, the training sessions are very intense, and despite not fighting since 2001, Ruas is in an excellent shape. …
Several days after fighting in Demolition Fight, three Brazilians landed in the birthplace of Muay Thai. Sandro de Castro, Leonardo Monteiro and Cosmo Alexandre will stay in Kaptungbén for a month, a small city near the Thai capital of Bangkok. "We are welcomed by the guys in this camp, and this place is like heaven," Sandro said. "The training is intensive, and I'm learning a lot; this will be very positive. I'm only having troubles with the heat and the spicy food these guys eat. It's tough!" Cosmo was married last January and enjoyed his first week of marriage in Phuket, one of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand that was devastated by the tsunami of 2004. …
Scheduled for May 10 the Midway Super Fight just signed Jorge Patino (Pictures) "Macaco" to face new Black House member Luiz "Sapo." Over the course of his 60-fight career, "Sapo" has tasted defeat just four times.
With athletes fighting in major events such as UFC and PRIDE, these homeland events are now calling the attention of the Brazilian audience.
Advertisement
Wanderlei still believes in a fight against Liddell
Former PRIDE 205-pound champion Wanderlei Silva (Pictures) is training hard and looking
forward to his comeback. In light of his last two fights, which saw
him rendered unconscious in brutal fashion, the Curitiba slugger
said things have changed in the gym, and as a result he'll be even
better when it's time to comeback.
"I'm giving more focus on my technical training," Silva said. "I'm training boxing, my jiu-jitsu. I'm improving more. After years, you tend to become comfortable, but MMA is not accommodating; in the opposite way, it is evolving very fast. If I want to compete against the new guys who are rising, in equal conditions, or even against the old guys who are improving themselves, I have to improve myself. I'm working on my physical condition. With [losing the title to Henderson], my punishment is to work harder to get back to the top."
About the oft-discussed fight against UFC champion Chuck Liddell (Pictures), Silva still believes he will face the American.
"This fight will happen," Silva promised. "I'm sure. He won't be the champion forever. I can get back my title, or he can lose his own. In this world of fights, anything can happen. This year, if God wants, will be very good to me, and a lot of good things will happen. MMA is rising. Everybody who fights to live has a lot to win, and I will stay among them for a long time. This fight will happen, and if I'm getting old, he is getting older, so this fight will happen someday. I'm very calm, and I can wait for it."
Nogueira brothers speak to 15 millions Brazilians
"Domingão do Faustão," the highest rated television show on the highest rated network in Brazil, featured brothers Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Pictures) and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (Pictures) last Sunday.
"Minotauro" spoke about his childhood, mainly about his near-death experience when he was run over by a truck and put into a coma for several days, and how he overcame those hard moments to become PRIDE heavyweight champion.
Meanwhile, "Minotoro" also spoke about his older brother's accident (Rogerio was the first one to help his brother) and spoke about his invitation to the Pan-American games in Rio, where he will compete as a boxer.
The interview pleased all the Brazilian MMA community because the sport has not had much exposure on mainstream television, especially in front of the largest Brazilian audience.
New talents shine on XFC Brasil
Organized by Fabiano Iha (Pictures) and Marcus Vinicius de Luccia, the XFC Brasil took place last Sunday in Rio de Janeiro and featured a series of excellent bouts.
After receiving hundreds of fighting résumés sent from the whole of Brazil, the organization chose four athletes for each of the four tournaments on the card, thus revealing that Brazil has many talented fighters who will debut in the international scene very soon.
The four fighters chosen were Rafael dos Anjos (Gracie Barra Combat Team), Rafael "Sapo" (Gracie BH), Antonio Braga Neto (Gracie Barra Combat Team) and Junior Cigano (Champion/Minotauro Team).
Full results:
77 Kilograms
Maurício Souza (BTT) def. José Fabiano (Black House) footlock
Rafael dos Anjos (GBCT) def. Thiago Minú (Boxer) rear-naked choke
Finals - Rafael dos Anjos def. Maurício Souza rear-naked choke
83 Kilograms
Danilo "Motoserra" (GBCT) def. Gerson Silva (BTT) judges decision
Rafael "Sapo" (GB BH) def. Nailson Bahia (Nova União) armbar
Finals - Rafael "Sapo" def. Gerson Silva judges' decision
93 Kilograms
Antônio Braga Neto (GBCT) def. Eduardo Camilo (BTT) armlock
Cezar Jesus Ferreira (Black House) def. André Severo (IFF) TKO
Finals - Antônio Braga Neto def. Cezar Jesus Ferreira judges' decision
Heavyweight
André Mussi (Fight House) def. Joaquim Ferreira "Mamute" (GB BH) judges decision
Junior Cigano (Champion) def. Edson "Paredão" (Nova Geração Paraíba) TKO (doctor's stoppage)
Finals - Junior Cigano def. Joaquim "Mamute" tapout
Late-replacement Andre "Chatuba" wins in Max Fight 3
The arena was packed and the crowd was greeted with electrifying fights April 28 in Campinas, where the third installment of Max Fight took place.
Invited on the eve of the event, Andre "Chatuba" was one of the biggest surprises, submitting Adriano "Bad Boy" by arm-triangle choke in 28 seconds. In the main event, Flavio Alvaro defeated Mauricio Alonso by judges' decision.
Full Results:
Conterrâneo (Tozzi-Repanas) def. Nene (Nene Team) katagatame R1
Rodrigo Caporal (Pessoa/Ranieri Muay Thai) def. Carlos Ramon (Tozzi-Godoi) footlock R1
Lázaro Santos (Claudio Simões) def. Júlio Gomes (Impacto/André Gomes) KO R3
Roberto Tozzi (Tozzi-Godoi) def. Carlão dos Santos (Clã da Luta/Limeira) katagatame R1
Geordashy (GT) def. Edson PC (GB Campinas-Fight Fitness) armbar R1
Cassiano Tytschyo (Chute Boxe) def. Bolacha (Lotus) armbar R2
Munil Adriano (Clube da Luta) def. Felipe Vidal (Brasa) doctor's stoppage R2
André Chatuba (RFT) def. Adriano Bad Boy (Macaco) arm-triangle R1
Juliano Belgine (Brasa) def. Curió (Macaco) armbar R1
Flávio Álvaro (Macaco) def. Maurício Alonso (Gracie SP-Gibi Thai) judges' decision
"Chatuba" wins the Top Fighters tournament
Four days after his win in Max Fight, Andre "Chatuba" separated himself from the pack one more time by defeating two opponents in the same evening to capture a tournament crown in Top Fighters 3.
"Chatuba" defeated Ismael de Jesus in his first fight and submitted Rafael Capoeira by an arm-triangle choke in the finals. A student of Márcio Cromado's and representing the Luta Livre style, "Chatuba" promised to focus more on the international MMA scene.
The event also brought experienced athletes such as Luciano Azevedo (Pictures), Luis Ramos, José Aldo and Aloisio Barros.
Full Results:
85 Kilogram Tournament
Rafael Capoeira (GBCT) def. Pedro Manoel (Manimal) tapout R1 André Chatuba (RFT) def. Ismael de Jesus (Nova União) judges' decision
Final - André Chatuba def. Rafael Capoeira by arm-triangle R2
Single Fights
Luis Ramos (GBCT) def. Luciano Azevedo (Pictures) (RFT) judges' decision
Alex (Diego Braga) def. Cristiano "Bananada" (BTT) KO R1
Coelho (GBCT) def. D'Angelo (Pequeno) judges' decision
Fernando Paulon (BTT) def. Amílcar Alves (GBCT) rear-naked choke R2
Aloísio Barros (GBCT) def. Luis "Pimpolho" (Nova União) tapout 2R
José Aldo (Nova União) def. Fábio Mello (BTT) judges decision André "Minhoca" (Top Brothers) def. Denis Ascher (GBCT) judges' decision
Diego Nunes (Black House) def. Henrique Melo (Bruno Bastos) KO R1
Julian Jabá (RFT) def. Diego Braga (GBCT) judges' decision
Ivan Iberico beats a Brazilian in Peru
Peruvian Ivan Ibérico "Pitbull" earned another great victory in his career. The Alexandre Franca Nogueira (Pictures)-trained fighter faced Chute Boxe's Marcio Gracinha and won by decision. This fight took place on an Open Fight Peru card in Lima last Saturday.
Full results:
Cesar Ruiz def. Mustafa TKO R1
Diego Akita def. Juan Francisco TKO R1
Ivan Iberico "Pitbull" def. Marcio Gracinha judges' decision
Valeriano La Roca def. Renato Puente KO R2
Daniel La Hiena Aspe def. Angelo Tiburon Dias tapout R3
News and Notes
Pedro Rizzo (Pictures) is already in California helping his Master, Marco Ruas (Pictures), who will be back in the ring May 19 against Maurice Smith (Pictures) on the IFL card in Chicago. According to Rizzo, who appears lined up to fight Jeff Monson (Pictures) on an upcoming Art of War card, the training sessions are very intense, and despite not fighting since 2001, Ruas is in an excellent shape. …
Several days after fighting in Demolition Fight, three Brazilians landed in the birthplace of Muay Thai. Sandro de Castro, Leonardo Monteiro and Cosmo Alexandre will stay in Kaptungbén for a month, a small city near the Thai capital of Bangkok. "We are welcomed by the guys in this camp, and this place is like heaven," Sandro said. "The training is intensive, and I'm learning a lot; this will be very positive. I'm only having troubles with the heat and the spicy food these guys eat. It's tough!" Cosmo was married last January and enjoyed his first week of marriage in Phuket, one of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand that was devastated by the tsunami of 2004. …
Scheduled for May 10 the Midway Super Fight just signed Jorge Patino (Pictures) "Macaco" to face new Black House member Luiz "Sapo." Over the course of his 60-fight career, "Sapo" has tasted defeat just four times.
