Murilo Bustamante

Leader of the Brazilian Top Team on United States, on the expansion project of the gym on Uncle Sam’s Land, Murilo Bustamente is in Brazil, where he will stay until the end of February. In exclusive interview Murilo talked to TATAME about the plans to BTT, pointed Rousimar Palhares, “Toquinho”, as the future owner of the middleweight’s belt on UFC, talked about Renzo Gracie going to the biggest MMA event of the world and guaranteed that he will be back to rings in 2010. Check below the chat with the former UFC middleweight champion.

How is the Jiu-Jitsu’ standardization work of BTT in America doing?

It’s a good question because some time ago I said something and I was misunderstood, it was even included on the phrases of the year, when I said that I was going to expand the Brazilian system of Jiu-Jitsu to all the gyms on United States, but actually I was talking about the gyms that we teach, and I was misunderstood.

What is BTT’s expectation to 2010 as in Brazil as in United States?

Expectations are best as possible, I’m in Brazil now, where I’ll be for two months, January and February, I’ll help the team here on the gym. In America we’re doing the affiliation of new gyms, we’re expanding BTT in America and in Brazil too. I believe that the gym will grow in 2010, we’re working on it, in our system of teaching martial arts, in Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, looking to expand our system as long as we can... We have gyms on California, Texas, Florida, Philadelphia, Montreal, so many that I don’t know all now.

How do you evaluate Toquinho’s fight against Lúcio Linhares, on UFC?

I think it was a very good fight, Toquinho went well, he will disturb in the future. It was a great victory, he wasn’t fighting for a while, but besides he fought well I think he can do better.

How do you analyze Toquinho’s category? Where do you think he can go to?

I’m sure that he can be a champion, sooner or later. Now he’s getting mature, having experience until get the belt. I think it’s just a matter of time for it.

Do the hiring of experient athletes by UFC motivates you to be back to the octagon?

For sure, and I have plans to fight in 2010 and let’s see how it’s gonna be. I’m preparing, I’m here in Brazil to train too. I’m training to get in the rhythm and we’re studying proposals, let’s see what happens. There’s nothing right yet, but I’m preparing to fight, last year I couldn’t prepare well, I just train with kimono and gave classes.

How do you see Renzo Gracie going to UFC. Do you think that he will disturb Matt Hughes?

I think it will depend on him. If he’s well prepared and make a good training, with a good camp, I think he will do a good fight and win it.

What can the audience expect on BTT for 2010?

Can expect for fighters in shape. We’ll work to supersize the team, and that’s been made since we’re opening other gyms. Our fighters will be ready and training well. You can expect good presentations of our team in general, I can guarantee that. We have good people, Milton is coming well, we have Pedrinho, Vitor Pimenta, Maurício, Camaleão, there’s Kevin who will fight in Paraíba, and other foreigner athletes that are promising.