Sherdog.com was able to catch up with promising mixed martial arts contender Marcelo Azevedo just before embarking on his journey across the Atlantic to England. Azevedo is scheduled to fight the toughest opponent of his career to date in Jorge Rivera (Pictures).

Azevedo expects to not only topple the rugged Rivera but also hopes that the win will catapult him into bigger fights with heftier paydays. He might not be a well-known commodity within the world of MMA in America, but a win over Rivera would go a long way in changing that.

Cage Rage is slowly gaining ground within the sport as it is becoming more and more of a serious player in the sport, and who knows it might even someday be on the same level as PRIDE and UFC. Azevedo certainly would like that.

It should be pointed out that Marcelo "Uirapuru" Azevedo is one of the first professional MMA fighters to be sponsored by companies not associated directly or indirectly with the sport. He's presently sponsored by Henderson & Henderson LLC, a residential homebuilder in the United States. MakaluMedia.com, an international IT services company. And BrightSL.com, a Spain-based real-estate consultancy. This represents a promising step forward in the general understanding and public acceptance of the sport.

Says Matt Henderson, partner at Henderson & Henderson, "My brother (and business partner) and I both train in sport Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and since BJJ/grappling form a central part of mixed martial arts, we have a considerable appreciation for the physical and technical skills, and hard work required to participate in this sport. There is unfortunately still a public perception that MMA is a sport consisting of brawlers, but we know this not to be true and we believe the general audience is also coming to realize this. The top MMA fighters are as professional as in any other sport.

"We decided to sponsor Marcelo Azevedo, and his teammate Edson Jorge, first because of the type of people they are. Draculino's program places high emphasis on the important role of ethics and integrity in the life of the professional athlete. We've worked with three athletes from Gracie-Barra BH, and have seen this as a common thread in all of them. We think people like Draculino, Marcelo and Edson represent the future of this sport, and it's their level of professionalism and personal character that we want associated with our company."

Sherdog.com: You are fighting in Cage Rage 13. It is going to be up in England, which I believe will be your first time fighting in that country. What are your thoughts about fighting in England?

Marcelo Azevedo: First, Mike, thanks for the opportunity for this interview. Yes, this is a big opportunity for me to compete and demonstrate my abilities in another country. It's also an important opportunity for me to take a forward step in my career.

Sherdog.com: How did you land the fighting contract with Cage Rage? Did they scout you out or did you have to track them down?

Azevedo: I'm a part-time rotational trainer of Gracie-Barra jiu-jitsu in Marbella, Spain. A couple of our students there knew the organizers of Cage Rage and made the suggestion that we look into my participation in the event. Although the organizers didn't know me initially, they were impressed by my results in my first MMA fight, with Babalu (who has fought for Cage Rage in the past.) Babalu, by the way, is now a team member, and good friend of mine, in Gracie-Barra Vale Tudo.

Sherdog.com: You are fighting the tough Jorge Rivera (Pictures), a UFC veteran. He is a very impressive fighter. What are your thoughts on Jorge?

Azevedo: Jorge Rivera (Pictures) is, as you say, a very good fighter, and has beaten some top names. He's a tough guy, and has a lot of experience. I want to be one of the best fighters in the world, and to get there, I need to fight the best — guys like Jorge.

Sherdog.com: What do you see as his weaknesses and strengths that you will try to capitalize on and avoid?

Azevedo: Well, of course I don't want to expose too much of my strategy before the fight. But, to be honest, my training more involves addressing my own strengths and weaknesses, than focusing on those of my opponent. One thing I can say, though, is that given the high level of MMA fighters today, it's not even enough to win anymore — one has to be an exciting fighter, because it's the fans that support the sport. So my intention is also to make this an exciting fight.

Sherdog.com: What does Cage Rage have in store for you on the premise that you beat Jorge?

Azevedo: If I win, I'm going to have at least two more fights in the event.

Sherdog.com: Obviously, a win over Jorge would be huge. Does the aspect of beating him give you more pressure and are you a bit nervous in the days leading up to the fight?

Azevedo: No, I don't feel too much pressure. I believe in myself, my trainers and my fighting style. My training has gone well, and I can't ask for more than that.

Sherdog.com: You lost your first three professional MMA fights, but then you turned everything around with three straight wins, winning the JDF tourney. What happened that allowed you to fight so well in that tournament compared to your first three fights?

Azevedo: During the period of time corresponding to my first three fights, I was sharing time between training sport Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and MMA. I then decided that I really wanted to make a career of MMA, and so I began to dedicate my training towards MMA — adding Muay Thai and wrestling. I also began a more scientific approach to cardio training. This dedication to MMA and becoming a well-rounded fighter improved my game a lot, and I think this was seen in the JDF tournament in which I won three fights in the same night.

Sherdog.com: After your losses, did you at any point think about retiring or did you know it was just a matter of time before you started to win?

Azevedo: No, I never thought of retiring. One has to work hard for everything worthwhile in life, and there are always setbacks. Only the toughest survive, and I intend to survive.

Sherdog.com: You are a proud member of the Draculino's Gracie-Barra team. How did you start training with the team?

Azevedo: I was a Capoeira instructor at the time that Royce Gracie (Pictures) dominated the first UFCs. That motivated me (as many people) to get to know the style of Gracie jiu-jitsu. I found Draculino, and we immediately formed a special relationship. I think he saw potential in me as an athlete, and I found in him I saw the professionalism, skill and personal character that I knew I would need.

Sherdog.com: What got you started in BJJ and did you pick up the art quickly?

Azevedo: The domination of BJJ in the UFC is what got me started. I did pick up BJJ relatively quickly, and later did well in events such as the World Championships. I give all the credit of my success in BJJ to Draculino. He's one of the best instructors in the world, not only in terms of technique, but also in terms of methodology and motivation.

Sherdog.com: In MMA, the Brazilian Top Team and Chute Boxe dominate the sport. How important for Gracie-Barra is it to establish the academy as a legitimate player in MMA besides just BJJ?

Azevedo: We have a very good vale Tudo team, which, we feel, is competitive with BTT and Chute Boxe. Indeed, in Brazil our team regularly has good results against those teams in MMA events (e.g. the last Storm event), and also in submission wrestling events. However, those teams presently have more exposure outside Brazil. But opportunities such as this Cage Rage fight are helping.

Sherdog.com: Why do you think Gracie-Barra isn't well-known around the United States and how hard do you think it'll be for it to become as known as Chute Boxe or the BTT?

Azevedo: It's because we haven't had many opportunities yet to demonstrate our abilities. How hard will it be to become as well known at BTT and Chute Boxe? It won't be easy, but I'm convinced it's an achievable goal.

Sherdog.com: Tell us about your colleague, Edson "Sururu" Jorge. How instrumental is he to your life and training?

Azevedo: Sururu is like a brother. We started jiu-jitsu at the same time, and have grown together in this sport and profession. He is another top vale tudo fighter in Gracie-Barra at the 73-kg weight class. If he gets an opportunity, you'll see him do well against guys at the very top level.

Sherdog.com: What do you do besides training and fighting?

Azevedo: I like to spend time with my family.

Sherdog.com: What does your nickname, Uirapuru, mean and how did you get it?

Azevedo: I received this nickname as a Capoeira instructor. Uirapuru is a bird that jumps a lot, and I was known for my jumping.

Sherdog.com: It seems like every fighter from Brazil has a special nickname. Is it very important in Brazil to have a nickname or does it just happen to be that way?

Azevedo: It is certainly common, but I'm not sure I would say that it's really considered “important.”

Sherdog.com: What are your thoughts on what happened in PRIDE last week, with Arona beating Wanderlei and with Rua winning the Grand Prix?

Azevedo: I think Arona went to PRIDE to beat Wanderlei, and that he came to the second fight maybe without enough concentration to win the overall. But, on the other hand, Shogun is a machine, and without question he deserved to win it all.

Sherdog.com: Once your MMA career really takes off, would you prefer to fight in the UFC or PRIDE?

Azevedo: Good question. I can't really say that at the moment I prefer one over the other. PRIDE has traditionally been the bigger event, but the UFC under Dana White, especially with the TUF program, really seems to be taking off. Both events now have a really good level of fighters. I would, as a professional MMA fighter, be thrilled and honored to have an opportunity in either event.

Sherdog.com: Who would be an ideal opponent for you, like a dream fight?

Azevedo: Well, as he's presently on top in the UFC, I dream a lot about a fight with Rich Franklin (Pictures). I think it would be a great fight, as we are both tough fighters, and have complimentary strengths that would make an exciting fight for the fans. In PRIDE, I would have really loved the chance to participate in the Middleweight Grand Prix. One fight I also dreamed a lot about was with Ryo Chonan (Pictures).

Sherdog.com: Do you have a message to everybody who will read this interview who may not know who you are?

Azevedo: I'd like to say thanks to everybody that helped make this opportunity at Cage Rage a reality for me — including my sponsors at Henderson & Henderson LLC (thehendersonbros.com), MakaluMedia.com and BrightSL.com, and my coach Draculino. For the fans, I'd like to say to try to make it out to the Cage Rage event or watch it on TV, because you're going see a new Gracie-Barra style of vale tudo. And, finally, many thanks to you again, Mike, for this interview.