After two victories in the UFC octagon, the last one against the former light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell, Maurício Shogun wil had the chance for the UFC belt against the champion Lyoto Machida. In exclusive interview to TATAME.com, Shogun spoke for the first time about the training for the title fight and guaranteed he’ll be ready for the challenge. In the exclusive below, he also spoke about a possible training with the Axe Murderer and Rafael Cordeiro and more.

How is the training to face Lyoto Machida for the title?

We're training, but light for a while. I'm focused, but I still have about four months to get prepared for this fight. It will be tough, it’s hard to find sparring with Lyoto’s style, but I’ll prepare myself the best way for this fight.

You already trained with Lyoto in the Chute Boxe and know his style. What is the strategy for this fight?

He only fought top guys and did it very well, no one put the hand on him. He beat Thiago Silva, Tito Ortiz and Rashad Evans, but fight is fight and anything can happen. Lyoto has adapted very well to MMA and the octagon, let’s see what he does best to create the strategy.

Sérgio Cunha will continue working with you?

We haven’t decided anything about it, we will still talk to define, but for now I'm training normally in UDL, doing a lot of physical preparation.

What did you think of the fight of your ex-partner of Chute Boxe, Wanderlei Silva, against Rich Franklin?

Wanderlei fought better than the other times. Master Rafael (Cordeiro) helped a lot and I think that Wandeco should continue with him. I watched the fight twice, at the first I thought that Wanderlei won, in the second I was in doubt, but the judges could have given the victory to him, because I thought he won the first and third round.

Unlike what happened with Chuck Liddell, Dana White didn’t cogitate Wanderlei’s retirement, even after three losses in four fights in the UFC. What Wanderlei needs to do to get back to victories in the UFC?

Wanderlei trains every day in the octagon and with Rafael, who knows well his style, he will turn things around. He is a showman, likes to fight to knockout and is still a young guy, he’s 32 years old. Rich Franklin, for example, is 36. Wandeco has to focus more on his technical part and continue fighting, because as I said, he’s still very young. I want to fight until 35 years old, but Wanderlei should fight until 40 (laughts). He loves fighting!

Now that Rafael Cordeiro is with Wanderlei, do you pretend to go to Las Vegas to train with them?

Master Rafael formed me black belt and I’m very proud of it. Unfortunately the team split and I never spoke with Rafael again, but if we meet each other I'll talk to him for sure, but I like my city and my country and don’t pretend to go train overseas.