Givanildo Santana

After 11 victories in the MMA career, Givanildo Santana knewe his first loss. The BJJ black belt for the first time let the fight go to the judges’ decision, and left the last ShoXC with a loss to Jaime Jara, at September 26^th. With a polemic split decision loss, Giva guarantees he learned some lessons with the fight. “I always dedicated everything on my training because I knew it’d happen some day, nobody is unbeatable… I don’t like to lose, but this loss will he an important thing to me”, said the fighter. Check below the complete interview with Giva.

How was your fight at ShoXC?

I did a good fight, a tough one, maybe the fight I needed to show the promoters that I can fight stand too, and give me better opponents too, because they saw I have conditions to do good fights.

The result was very polemic… Why do you think they gave the victory to your opponent?

I don’t know. Like I said before, it was a tough fight, but I won the first round for sure, hit some kicks on the ribs, two takedowns and a good ground n’ pound game. On the second one he hit me with a good punch and I had to sit to don’t complicate, and the third and decisive one my corner said to me that the fight was tie and I needed to win. He walk in my direction and I decide to work hitting him back, and he didn’t hit me on the third round, and on the other hand I hit some punches and kicks forcing him to go back. I did some elbows, open cuts in his face. Everybody that saw that fight said I win, but only the judges didn’t saw that. I didn’t understand the result yet. Colin Oyama (Giva’s coach) was so indignant that he send a letter to California Athletic Commission, demanding an explanation for the points. When we finished the second round, both of us were with clean faces, and on the third one he finished with a hurt and deformed face.

When did you face your first loss in MMA?

I always dedicate a lot on my training because I knew one day it’d happen, nobody is unbeatable. My goal was to keep the invincibility the most I can and get the best opportunities. The sad thing is when you watch the fight again to analyze when you missed and realize that you actually didn’t lose. I did some mistakes, I’ll correct them so that I don’t do it again, it was important to fight three rounds, I never fought more than one, I learned a lot with that. I don’t like to lose, but this loss will he an important thing to me.

This loss frustrated your plans to fight for the belt?

I think so, because nobody that loses gets a title shot, you need to keep winning so that they see you and give you a chance. But that’s no problem, difficulties are only another reason to train more, and an unfair result too…

How is your relation with EliteXC now?

This was my last fight on the contract, and they always threat me well. Let’s see what happens, if they do a new contract, or if I’ll go after other opportunities. I believe I’ll have other opportunities to do my work.

When do you come back to fight?

I wanna fight as soon as possible. I fought three round and I’m not hurt, rest one week and I’ll be back this week on training.

How is your training? Are you living in United States?

I’ll start today a new routine. I spoke with my physical coach, Luciano Matheus, we’ll do some strength training and work on my explosion. I’ll have this weekend to develop my Muay Thai and Wrestling to get more complete. I’m not living here US yet because my wife is in Brazil and the gyms where I teach too. I’m doing some training here and in Brazil, but this year I’m more here in US, because I have to do some BJJ corner from other fighters at Team Oyama and some BJJ classes at No Limits. To stay here full time, it’ll depend on the work proposals, but I wanna fight a lot and don’t depend on this now. I wanna thank the opportunity TATAME give to the fighters. Thank my family for the support, specially my wife Yolanda. All Lótus Club team and my students for the support and support.