Coaches Pedro Rizzo (Pictures) and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (Pictures) recently held open training sessions with their teams in preparation for the Sept. 29 MTL event.

The MTL is Brazil's team-oriented MMA league. Rizzo coaches the Tsunami, which worked out at Upper's gym in Rio de Janeiro. The Art of War heavyweight champion taught his fighters techniques and spoke to them about his experiences in the ring.

"I chose you because I know your potential, each one of you, and I believe in our victory," Rizzo said. "Everyone who is here now is blessed. We will work hard to reach our goal, to advance to the finals. I hope every one of you will be dedicated to training, to take us to our place in the finals."

The same day "Minotouro" trained his Avalanche squad at the Black House headquarters. The training was all about Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

"I met my team very motivated for the MTL," Nogueira said. "After a successful first show, everybody wants to win and make it to the finals in November. I know we will find difficulty, but I trust in my athletes' potential."

On Nov. 10 the winning team will face Murilo Bustamante (Pictures)'s Wildfire, which defeated Wanderlei Silva (Pictures)'s Hurricanes in August.

Full card:

Lightweight: Leonardo Santos (Tsunami) vs. Rafael Bastos (Pictures) (Avalanche)
Welterweight: Andre Santos (Tsunami) vs. Sergio Moraes (Avalanche)
Middleweight: Mauricio Alonso (Tsunami) vs. Julio Cesar Field (Avalanche)
Light Heavyweight: Vitor Miranda (Tsunami) vs. Fabio Maldonado (Avalanche)
Heavyweight: Jair Goncalves (Tsunami) vs. Junior Cigano (Avalanche)