2005 has been a very busy year for Brazilians, with a lot of big names entering the ring and new champions arising, writes Sherdog.com’s Gleidson Venga. While the Nogueira brothers are preparing for their return to PRIDE, Wanderlei Silva (Pictures) talks about disappointment of losing to Ricardo Arona (Pictures). Both Murilo Rua (Pictures) and Paulo Filho (Pictures) talk about their deepening rivalry. Also, we look at jiu-jitsu black belt Vitor Ribeiro (Pictures)’s growing role on the world stage, and Renato Sobral (Pictures) looks determined.

“Minotoro” and “Minotauro” prepare to return to the ring

Brothers Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Pictures) and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (Pictures) haven’t fought since the second round of the PRIDE Grand Prix in June, but they are currently preparing to return to the ring for PRIDE Shockwave on December 31.

Rodrigo “Minotauro” knows he will have a tough fight ahead him. “I don’t know who will be my opponent,” he said, “but I think I will fight against Mirko Cro Cop.” Recovered from arm surgery, the heavyweight doesn’t hesitate in saying whom he wants to fight in the event. “I would like to fight Fedor. I’m prepared to face him any time. I’m already 100 percent recovered from the surgery and ready to come back to the ring.”

Meanwhile, Rogerio “Minotoro,” who was supposed to fight in PRIDE 30, wants to make a rematch against the 2005 PRIDE Middleweight Grand Prix Champion Mauricio Rua (Pictures). “I think that fight was very close,” analyzed little Nog. “I would like to face him again, because I will not commit the same mistakes I did in that fight.”

Wrestling, considered the main deficiency of the Nogueira brothers, is being sharpened, especially Greco-Roman, as both fighters train with Darrel Gholar and Jeferson Teixeira at Brazilian Top Team.

Wanderlei Speaks

Months after his loss to Ricardo Arona (Pictures) in the 2005 PRIDE GP, Wanderlei Silva (Pictures) didn’t hide anything and told us how he feels about the loss against his rival. “I became totally disappointed with my performance,” he said. “I’m like a madman — don’t eat, don’t sleep. I don’t do anything else; I’m just thinking about this fight. It’s not going to stay like this — it can’t stay. I will have to crush this guy in any manner. What a shit fight I did, but that is OK, everyone has a bad day.”

The athlete recognized his loss and knows where he made mistakes. “I will correct all my flaws,” Silva said. “I know where I made mistakes and will try to not commit the same ones.”

“The critics we absorb well, I know how to interpret which each one says.” Silva affirmed that he still plans to fight in the 2006 PRIDE Heavyweight Grand Prix and it is up to his trainer, Rudimar Fedrigo, to decide about his participation. For anyone who thinks that the middleweight champion is dispirited, he’s got some news: “I’m very excited and this is not going to end like this.”

“I will come back,” he promised. “I will crush this guy and anyone who stays in front of me, this is my style. The true champion is the one who never disheartens himself, the one who never gives up. I will only stop in the end. Let’s come the next, because now Silva will work harder.”

Vitor “Shaolin” Rising

Considered one of Brazil’s top fighters in the 70-kg division, Vitor Ribeiro (Pictures) tried to find an explanation for not being invited to participate in the PRIDE Bushido Lightweight Grand Prix. “I think PRIDE had already a formed group,” he speculated. “If it was 16 fighters, I was in, because there would be a lot of new faces. But like there were only eight. They took the ones who had already fought there, put the fighters and made the GP. This is the explanation that I can conceive in my mind.”

A jiu-jitsu world champion, “Shaolin” commented on his evolution in MMA: “Now I am looking more for the submissions when I pass the guard. From there I already try an arm attack, trying a katagatame, a rear-naked choke. I was afraid to lose the position and stay underneath my opponent. Now I go always straight forward because the guy will give me space and I will catch something.”

Coming off a great victory over Jean Silva (Pictures) at the Cage Rage, where he conquered the division’s belt, “Shaolin” talked about his fight against his countrymen.

“It was a great fight,” he said. “Jean started well, I tried to go for his legs, he did a good sprawl and I fell underneath him, took some punches in my face, but already started to look for submissions. Even receiving some punishment I already tried a Kimura. He escaped. Then I went for an armbar. He managed to get out. I recovered, reversed the position and ended on top pounding. He gave space and I caught him in a katagatame. He started to really gas, because I imposed my rhythm. In the second round he came more aggressive. I managed to stay relaxed in the fight and not enter in panic. Managed to take him down and once he was there I was much more relaxed. Took his back in the moment he gave a chance, went to the katagatame and finished the fight.”

The jiu-jitsu black belt has already planned his return to the ring. “I’m looking to fight in December 31, but I think it is going to be difficult,” he lamented. “But in February I will defend my Cage Rage belt, still don’t know against whom. I will start my training in the middle of November, will start to do the general part to arrive well in February and win another fight.”