Zé Mario Sperry team is in a good moment at International Fight League (IFL). After defeat Randy Couture’s team for a 2x1, with Rafael Dias and Alexandre Cacareco scoring for the team, they are going to comeback to the IFL ring at May 16, to face for this time, Team Bombquad. In an exclusive interview to TATAME website, Mario Sperry talk about his first victory, the expectation for the new event and commented the project to create the World Classic Fight Center, his team at USA, and his return to rings. Check out the complete interview:

How was the first stage of IFL and the victory against Randy Couture team?

It was very nice. We were in a big expectation for the fight, due the importance of a debut against a strong team in Las Vegas , where I am setting up a team. There were big expectations, I was apprehensive, but everything went right, we won and it was a positive return with this victory.

How do you consider the performance of your fighters in this event?

The three of them fought well, including Leopoldo (Serão) fought well too, but he had no luck. Rafael and Cacareco didn’t give any chances to their opponents, fought very well, made the right strategy and submitted their bouts using their Jiu-Jitsu.

Do you know when is going to be the second stage and who is going to fight for your team?

It’s on May 16, at Connecticut, against a team from New Jersey . We already have Danilo Villefort to 185lbs, at 175lbs it will be Marcelo Salazar and the third is going to be at 150lbs, but we doesn’t know yet because we are waiting for the visa to some fighters.

What are your expectations to this second participation at IFL?

It is big. We have in march the first victory. We are working hard looking for a positive result and we are going to be prepared.

And you… When are you going to return to fight? Do you receive any offer?

I received some offers to fight, including from Japan, … Now, leaving in I have the opportunity to make many contacts, I am a guy with good relations with a lot of people. I received some offers, but unfortunately I can’t accept because I am very concentrated in open my gym, but next semester I will be ready to return to fight.

Did you receive any offer to face some leader from another IFL team?

It is was commented, but as I couldn’t give a positive answer, because I was very busy with the gym, my career as a fighter went to second place. When my routine comeback to normal I will negotiate again and try to fight once or twice before the end of the year.

Is there anybody special that you want to face?

Anyone that IFL believe that is good for me, I will be prepared. I don’t have a favourite opponent. If there is somebody else in the other side of the ring, for me it’s ok.

Where are you training at USA?

I am actually in Las Vegas , training Jiu-Jitsu at Sérgio Penha gym, I train Boxing with some friends and sometimes I go to Randy Couture’s Gym too.

Do you meet Wanderlei Silva at Couture gym?

Sometimes I meet him there but we never stop to talk each other.

What are you doing here in Brazil? Are you training with Gracie Fusion?

I came to solve some personal problems, I have another business here at Brazil, that are not relations with MMA and I should return to in the end of the month. I went to Gracie Fusion, I went to Akxe with Vini and I went to many gyms here in visitiong some friends, but I am not worried with my train at this moment, I am settling my professional problems here, but I could not loose the opportunity to train here.

You train with who here at Brazil?

At Gracie Fusion I trained with Mangueira, with Marcio “Pé-de-Pano” Cruz, Danilo Motosserra… They received me very well, I love the people there, the terrain is very good, I enjoyed it. “Pé-de-Pano” is prepared, he should fight well at . When I come back to , if I could, I will train with them again.

What are your expectations for your fighter abroad ? What are your plans for Cacareco?

We are depending on the gym, but as soon as it become ready, and after that become consistent, I will start to consider the possibility to bring some athletes to there. Now, everybody has their lives here in Brazil, but our objective is to make a big structure there and take some fighters to USA. Cacareco fought very well and impressed a lot with his performance. In his next bout he will fight for the belt at 93kg in June and I hope he make a lot of success. They made the invitation and he accept.