WEC’s former champion, Paulão Filho is training for his next combat, against Denis Kan, an opponent he would confront on Pride’s GP’s finale, when he got hurt and could not fight for the title. On an exclusive interview he gave to TATAME, the black belt commented his last win, in Sao Paulo, talked about the duel with Kang, the critics from the fans, the comeback to international events and the probable entrance of Ricardo Arona on UFC.

You beat a heavyweight Chilean on the beginning of this month, in Sao Paulo… How was the fight like?

They called me at the last minute and I accepted. The guy weighted 418,88 pounds, was 6,3 feet tall, strong, but I got him… I noticed he had a hard punch, then I went for the single leg, he tried to keep himself standing. I grabbed him and brought him down, but he kept on moving… I had him on the side mount and tried to fit a lock that master Oswaldo Alves taught me, but it didn’t work out. I mounted and punched him just to make some space, but I hit his eye and it hurt him.

This weight gap made much difference?

I don’t feel it, thanks God, I have a lot of physical strength and I don’t worry about the high or strength, I just have to be ready for it. If I were a more disciplined athlete… I have all the tools, I never lose a position, I always get the position I want and move forward, which is something RIcksn (Gracie) taught me, and I get the submission. That’s the way to be followed.

Your next fight is against Denis Kang on Impact FC. What are your expectations?

Kan used to be a friend of mine, when he was a purple belt athlete he slept in my place, I remember meeting him when I went to fight against Amar Suloev, he had that channel hair cut… I didn’t want to fight against him, but he has being talking too much and I got hurt. He said he would come and make an appearance, that he wouldn’t have mercy, but I believe God is fair and put Kazuo Misaki (on Pride’s GP’s finale)… The guy kept himself mounted for five minutes and didn’t do a thing, it’s complicated. Denis is that guy, he has a good punch, but I feel like he can’t handle me. He and his team are aware of that.

You would confront him on GP’s finale, but the fight did not happened because you got injured… How do you think this fight will be like?

You’ll see Paulão moving forward, going for it and if he makes space, I’ll punch him, otherwise I’ll bring him to the ground and make him look like a doll. People are worried about the trade of punches, but things are different in America. I come from Jiu-Jitsu, so it doesn’t take much for me to find some space and it’s not by chance that Jiu-Jitsu is considered by the fighters as the most effective martial art.

How are the trainings going?

Great. I’m weighting 90kg, very focused and I’m just waiting for the time to come.

Your visa will not be an issue for this fight, right?

That’s not up to me, I leave it to my managers to worry about, I can’t do much. I was very sorry when I was going to fight against Hector Lombard, then I got there and the guy (from the Consulate) didn’t act right. He saw in my passport I went to United States several times and yet denied my visa. But things happen for a reason. I’m very unsatisfied, I’d like people to know that I’m still here, defending our country. I’d like a little more support, because the critics are so numerous that it’s discouragement. An athlete holding a professional record of 20 wins and only one loss can’t be disrespected.

How do you see yourself coming back to international events?

I’m very glad, I think it took too long. I fought against Melvin (Manhoef), then I had panic disorder and I just stayed laid on my bed… I fought against Alex Schoenauer, an average guy, I haven’t trained much… If he knew my conditions at that time, maybe he’d have overcome me, but I think he got scared.

Arona met Dana White and is almost signing a contract with UFC... How do you see his entrance on UFC nowadays?

Arona is fantastic, he’s explosive guy by nature and has a disposition that impresses me… I believe that if he has another opportunity to fight against Shogun, he’d win easily, but I’d rather be quiet. With Quinton (Rampage Jackson) it was a ram, everybody was surprised, but he’ll beat all of them. We’re close friends and I’m sure everything will work out for him, he’ll become a champion.