Filho: “I’m a new person now”

By Guilherme Cruz

Photo Marcelo Alonso

Just a few days before his second fight with Chael Sonnen at WEC, Paulo Filho spoke to TATAME about the thoughts of the fight, his problems with depression, his training with André Galvão, the possibility to face Anderson Silva, a friend and UFC champion, and analyzed Rousimar Palhares’ bout against the former pride champion, Dan Handerson. “The depression is over and now is just happiness, I’m ready for the war”, guarantees the champion, on the exclusive interview.

How was your preparation for this fight?

Thanks God everything was perfect... My preparation is really good, I’m focused and I went to Minas Gerais to have a good support with my friends and I’m a new person now. The depression is over and I’m ready for the war.

Chael Sonnen said that he didn’t believe in your recovery for this fight…

American people has big mouths… Sonnen should have said it to me, and not put this things in media, I think he doesn’t wanna fight me again, lose another arm…

What are your expectations for this fight? Do the ground game again?

Actually, there’s no strategy, is just fight and be ready to protect and attack…

How was your training with André Galvão for this fight?

He was an important person in my training, he helped me to remember some things, see how things works in Jiu-Jitsu now and we learned a lot together… He showed me things about the modern Jiu-Jitsu and I gave him some of my MMA experience. He submitted on his first fight and it’ll be hard to find somebody to beat him on the ground in MMA, maybe only another Brazilian fighter. We had a great time together and I’m very happy with his success. His success is my success, and my success is his too.

Will you go to USA now and just relax or continue training?

I have to train more, my real fight is with my weight, and I’ll have to train more until September 8^th. I need to lose weight, I’m with 93kg and I still have a lot to lose, and I’ll do the same, and doesn’t repeat the same mistake from my last fight.

How many fights remain in your WEC contract? Do you think about going to UFC?

I have this and another one… I’m very thankful for WEC, I’m an employee and I’m really thankful with their help when I had my problem, and whatever they decide is good to me…

And if their decision is to merge you to UFC, will you face Anderson Silva?

Definitely no. We’re close friends and I believe there’s space for everybody there, it’s definitely out of my plans.

He’ll face Patrick Cote now… How do you think will be this fight?

Anderson will win, and I know it’ll be easy and fast. Cote isn’t fight for Anderson Silva, he’s a level above.

And Palhares, that will face Henderson now?

It won’t go through the first round. Do you wanna bet? I can bet my house that “Toquinho” will win on the first round, and will submit on Henderson’ foot. He’ll beat easily, he’s a thousand miles per hour and Henderson is falling down. I know Henderson is a great athlete, but “Toquinho” is excellent and came from nowhere, wants to help his family, he’s stronger, younger and more technical and I can’t see Henderson beating him. The only positive thing about Henderson is that he’s an expert fight, but it doesn’t work with a phenomenon.