Back to victories at Dream, submitting Melvin Manhoef in the first round, Paulo Filho is ready for Alex Shoenauer at Bitetti Combat 4, but already aims tougher challenges overseas. With Dream’s new partnership with Strikeforce, the black belt eyes Gegard Mousasi, who knocked Renato Babalu Sobral out to become the new light heavyweight champion. In the exclusive interview, the black belt remembered that he and Mousasi were in the same Pride tournament, but Mousasi was submitted got out when he was submitted by Gono, commented the training for Bitetti Combat, Dream’s partnership with Strikeforce and more.

How are the training to fight at Bitetti Combat?

Everything alright. He trains with a friend of mine, Sérgio Penha, and we’ll check it out. I’m prepared, I’m gonna fight in my weight (205), I’ll be stronger… We won’t move back, we’ll go there to finish.

In the ground, do you think you’re in advantage?

That’s complicated, because maybe he has that secret move that can surprise me. I’m a long time away from the jiu-jitsu competitions, I didn’t have enough time to gat back all that knowledge that I had when I was 20, but I think I’m still gonna give trouble to a lot of guys. I consider my ground game superior to anyone’s in any division.

With Dream’s partnership with Strikeforce, will you be back to the US?

I wanna fight now at 205lbs, and I’d like to fight Mousasi. He fought at my GP at Pride, the one that I unfortunately injured against Misaki. He knows me, he knows that it’s a whole different thing. It’s good to know that Strikeforce has this partnership with Dream…I wanna fight Mousasi and show that with against me is a whole different thing… He doesn’t have my strength, he doesn’t have my level on the ground. He can be a better striker, but he doesn’t have my strength and he’ll go down once and be submitted.

Did you watched his fight against Babalu?

Yes, and I thought that he disrespect Babalu… He were there making fun of him and Babalu got nervous. He’s well trained, but I don’t think he’s healthy enough to beat me… If he wins, I don’t even want my salary. But I guarantee he’ll be beaten more than he was against (Akihiro) Gono.

The his fight against Ronaldo Jacaré at Dream’s GP?

That was totally accidental, (Jacaré) tried a super man punch and got an up kick, but until then it was easy for Jacaré. I don’t this he has strength enough to beat me, he’d need to eat a lot more.