By Guilherme Cruz
Photo Mike Damayo

Debuting with the best way at Affliction, Rogério “Minotouro” Nogueira was very happy with his fight against Edwin Dewees. With a perfect kick defense and a good Boxing game, Nogueira commented his fight to TATAME. “He’s an expert fighter, coming from 47 fights and 35 victories, but I felt the victory was close when I got the right distance... He was kicking me a lot, but I was defending it well and I was calm. I started hitting the left hands, he felt the punches and I was confidence and started going up to knockout”, analyzed Nogueira, that is confidence about Affliction. “I wanna be champion here. Affliction came to stay, and I wanna stay at Affliction”, said the athlete.

By Guilherme Cruz
Photo Josh Hedges

Considered the best pound-for-pound athlete of the world, Anderson Silva dominated the UFC middleweight division and, at UFC Fight Night 14 show, did a great fight at light-weight category. Facing the tough James Irvin, that was coming from a huge eight seconds knockout, Silva showed why he’s pointed as the best fighter of the MMA world. “Funny, huh? I wasn’t expecting such victory that fast and easy, but we train to do the work perfectly and I go to the octagon to do what I train. Thanks God everything was alright. The only bad thing is that he (Irvin) got hurt, cut the face, but it’s part of the job”, commented the middleweight champion, that is now thinking on his next title defense.

Anderson confirmed with exclusivity to TATAME that he may fight at September, and the opponent is defined. Yushin Okami, which would likely face him for the title, broke a hand while training, so Anderson may now face Patrick Cote. “We came to Las Angeles now and will help Rafael (Feijão) to prepare for his fight at Elite XC. After that, we’ll go back to to train for my fight at September. I believe I’ll face Patrick Cote”, told Anderson , that faces the opponent that beat Ricardo “Cachorrão” Almeida at his last fight. “I haven’t seen his that fight, I’ll take a look at that”, said Anderson .

By Guilherme Cruz
Photo Mike Damayo

Away from fights since 2007, Vitor Belfort faced a tough battle to make weight at middleweight division, months away from the family and living by himself at USA, but all that suffering was forgotten after his fight at Affliction. Facing Terry Martin, the Brazilian started with a good job, studying the opponent, but on the first round he broke his hand after punching Martin’s face. While he was at the hospital, Vitor spoke to TATAME about his fight. “I thought it was a great fight, he was so prepotent. It was a beautiful knockout, he landed well on the ropes”, commented the fighter, that hit his opponent with a flying knee after finishing the job with two tough punches.

“That was our strategy. Another fighter told me that the ring was very sliding, so I used the first round to study his game and came to the second round to knock him out. It was perfect”, analyzed the Phenom, that guarantees his good times are back. “The Phenom is back, like Batman, got out of the cave”, celebrates Belfort, that watched Rogério Nogueira and Renato Sobral victories on the event.

“It was perfect. He (Nogueira) fought really well, it was great. Babalu fought good too, he faced a tough guy and did a great job”, said Vitor, that only regretted Pedro Rizzo’s loss. “The only thing we were said is about Pedro Rizzo’s loss, it was sad. But I’m sure that he’ll come out of the cave too, now he deserves another rematch (against Josh Barnett)”, guarantees, Belfort.

By Guilherme Cruz
Photo Eduardo Ferreira

The debut of The Glory, new MMA event promoted by Carlão Barreto, shaked Niterói, rio de Janeiro, at night of July 5^th. With 13 great fights, the event put Gustavo Ximú (Gracie Barra) against Alfonso “El Toro Garate” on the main event, and Ximú was great. On the first round, Ximú abused of the kicks and put Alfonso on the ground, where he mounted but couldn’t submit with an arm-lock before the end of the round. On the second round, Ximú started on the same rhythm and after putting him down, tried an arm-lock and after that submitted Alfonso with a heel-lock.

Who did great on the event too was Jhonny Eduardo (Boxe Thai/nova União), that got his third victory in a row after submit the BTT athlete, Cristiano Bananada, on the second round with a perfect arm-lock. By the end of the fight, Jhonny asked for a fight against Milton Vieira (BTT), that defeated him at 2006’s Super Challenge. The Luta Livre team (Revelation Fight Team) repeated the great performance from Shooto 7 and got, again, 100% of victories. “We got six wins in six fights on last couple of weeks…I’m happy with the performance of my athletes”, said Márcio Cromado, RFT leader. Check below the complete results of the event.

COMPLETE RESULTS

The Glory
Tio Sam Gymnasium, Rio de Janeiro
Saturday, July 5th, 2008

- Francis Guilde (Relma) defeated Marcos Tadeu (Muay Kick) at judge’s decision;
- Maurício Rossi (Heggas Zulu Team) knocked out Álvaro Bobadilla (Top Brother) at 2min24s of R1;
- Eduardo Rodrigues (RFT) knocked out João Machado (Paulão Team) at 19s of R1;
- Ralph Loren (RFT) defeated Vítor Santos (Nova União) at judge’s decision;
- Danilo Brasília (RFT) submited Flávio Serafim (Fight Co.) with a guillotine chocke at 2min53s of R1;
- Eliene Pit (FFT) defeated Maicon Alarcão (Minotauro Team) by TKO at 3min23s of R3;
- Marcelo Nigue (Gracie Humaitá) defeated Leandro Reis (BPT) at judge’s decision;
- Jhonny Eduardo (Boxe Thai/ Nova União) submited Cristiano Bananada (BTT) with a arm-lock at 1min29s of R2;
- Aloisio Dado (Gracie Barra) defeated Bruno Machado (Caverna Team) at judge’s decision;
- Amilcar Alves (Nova União) defeated Diego Braga (Gordo JJ) at judge’s decision;
- Felipe Mongo (Clube da Luta) submited Fábio Issa (nova União) with a kata-gatame at 3min15s of R1;
- Julian Jabá (RFT) submited André Minhoca (Top Brother) with a guillotine chocke at 4min43s of R2;
- Gustavo Ximu (Gracie Barra) submited Alfonso “El Toro Garate” (Boca/ Sukata Team) with a heel-lock at 3min45s of R2.

By Eduardo Ferreira
Photo Marcelo Alonso

Pancrase’s former champion and coming from victory at Jungle Fight by Pozil, over the American fighter Terroll Dees, Assuério Silva is now dreaming with a possibility to go back to UFC. Assuério suffered three losses at UFC, to Brandon Vera, Cheick Kongo and the former champion Tim Sylvia, but guarantees that if he has another chance, he’ll show all his potential at the cage.

“We’re working hard. My manager spoke with Joe Silva (UFC matchmaker) and I guarantee that if I have another shot, I’ll do my job with all my heart. I’m here to fight that’s my job and I know that you only survive on it if you’re on the top”, said Assuério, that commented about his fast victory at Jungle Fight, when he submitted Terroll with a leg-lock with only 1min42s on the first round.

“My preparation was intense, like always. I believe that rings are like wars, and I have to be always better than I believe my opponent will be. I didn’t knew this opponent, I was going to face another one, but he got hurt and changed my opponent. I did this great fight and won”, said Assuério, trying to rebuild his way back to Ultimate Fighting Championship.

By Guilherme Cruz
Photo Marcelo Alonso

He only needed a great knockout over Jason Lambert (UFC 85) to earn a chance against a Top 10 of the category. Getting ready to face Thierry Sokoudjou at UFC 89, Luis “Banha” Cane told TATAME his expectations to the fight. “I believe it’ll be a very tough fight. Undoubtedly he’s the biggest challenge of my career, a Top 10. He hits tough, proved that beating two of the best of the MMA, but I’m confident and know what I can do. I can knock him out, I can submit him”, said Cane, that is already studying Sokoudjou’s style. “I’m training to develop my game and get there with my best, and I’m studying his defects. Nobody is perfect. He’s good, but has his defects and I’m going to work on it”, told the Brazilian fighter, that wants to win to grow on the category: “I wanna win to grow, and beating a Top 10 I’ll certainly go up”.

Cane also bet on Anderson Silva, that faces the man he fought at UFC 79, and was disqualified. “ Anderson is a phenomenon, the best pound-for-pound and will show that today. Irvin has no chances against him, he’s the best. The bad about all this is that he came to out division… Stay down there, Anderson … The light-heavyweight is already tough and you came here? (laughs)”, said Cane, that faces Thierry Sokoudjou at October 18^th at Birmingham, .

By Guilherme Cruz
Photo Marcelo Alonso

The Nova União athlete, Ronnys Torres, did a great job at Jungle Fight Championship, that happened at Windsor Hotel, Rio de Janeiro , at July 12^th. Ronnys submitted the expert opponent Luiz Azeredo (Chute Boxe), with a key-lock by the end of the first round. “I’m very happy. It was my second fight at Jungle Fight and it was the main event. I did this with hard work and faith”, celebrated the BJJ brown belt.

Celebrities crowded the event to watch the event to watch the great fights, like Assuério Silva’s victory over the American fighter Terrol Dees with a knee bar with less than two minutes of fight. Another great fight was between Ediane “Índia” Gomes and Michelle Farias. Ediane, from Macaco Gold Team, defeated her opponent with a, arm-lock with only 48 seconds of fight. The only foreign athlete to left the event with a victory was Xavier Foupa-Pokam, that defeated Felipe Mongo by TKO on the third round. 

Mongo, known by his stamina, couldn’t defeat the Cage Rage veteran. “I got here with 38 degrees of fever fought last week... I know I can use it for excuses, but it really helped. I just want to say that I wanna another chance to show what I can do”, asked Alexandre Pequeno’s athlete. Another one that is doing well on the MMA scenario is Paulo Thiago. With his master’s support, Paulo did a great fight against the French fighter Serrid Kheder and won by unanimous decision. Check below the complete results of the event.

COMPLETE RESULTS

Jungle Fight Championship by Pozil
Windsor Hotel, Rio de Janeiro
Saturday, July 12nd, 2008

- Ronnys Torres (Nova União) submitted Luiz Azeredo (Chute Boxe) with a key-lock at 4min34s of R1;
- Assuério Silva submitted Terrol Dees (Cesar Gracie) com uma chave de joelho a 1min42s do 1R;
- Ediane "Índia" Gomes (Macaco Gold Team) submitted Michelle Farias (Gracie Barra) with a arm-lock at 48s of R1;
- Paulo Thiago (Constrictor Team) defeated Serrid Kheder (França) at judge’s decision;
- Pedro Manoel (Clube da Luta) defeated Leonardo Peçanha (Minotauro Team) at judge’s decision;
- Xavier Foupa-Pokam (França) defeated Felipe Mongo (Clube da Luta) by TKO at R3;
- Leonardo Tangerina defeated Paulo Dezenet (Killer Bees) by injury at R1;
- Alexandre "Pulga" Pimentel (NG Combat) defeated Renato Souza (ASLE) at judge’s decision;
- Allan Frois (Macaco Gold Team) defeated Sebastião Bruno Pinto (BTT) at judge’s decision.

By Guilherme Cruz
Photo Eduardo Ferreira

Considered one of the best heavyweight fighters ever, Pedro Rizzo landed at Affliction between other heavyweights and wants to help Brazil to get out of the event with no losses. With other four Brazilian fighters on Affliction, Rizzo faces Josh Barnett for the second time, once that he already beaten him at UFC 30. “I came to California one week ago to habituate to the local weather and I’m just waiting for the fight time. I did all my preparation, did everything I had to do, studied Josh’s fights and want the victory”, said Rizzo to TATAME.

Pedro Rizzo and Josh Barnett’s fight has a lot of coincident details. Besides this two heavyweights have already faced each other and come from two victories in a row, both faced on their last fight the same opponent: Jeff Monson. While Rizzo knocked Monson out at Art Of War, Barnett defeated him at Sengoku, at a unanimous decision. “I hope all Brazilian fighters do well here. (Renato) Babalú, (Fábio) Negão, Vitor (Belfort) and Rogerão (Nogueira)… We’ll leave the event to a Brazilian celebration at Affliction”, guarantees Rizzo, that fights tomorrow.

By Guilherme Cruz
Photo Marcelo Alonso

On the unbeaten Brazilian fighters bout, one of them will leave , after the UFC 89, with a loss on the card. Thiago Silva and Lyoto Machida, both with 13 victories on a perfect card, will face each other at Birmingham, , at October 18th, and Thiago wants another victory to earn a title shot. “It’ll be a good fight, we’re determined fighters. I trained a lot and I’ll do my job”, commented Thiago, that analyzed Lyoto’s style, that was a reason why a lot of athletes refused facing him.

“I believe it’ll be a fight with more strategy. Lyoto likes to escape, fight moving backwards, it’s his style, but it’ll do my job”, analyzed Thiago, that will face a Brazilian fighter for the second time in a row on the UFC octagon (the last one was Antônio Mendes “Samuray”, at UFC 84). “Unfortunately yes, I can’t say that I like (facing Brazilian fighters), but I want the belt, and wanna prove my talent and win. I want the belt. I already can fight for the belt. I’ve already showed UFC what I can and what I can’t do. I’m here to fight for the belt”, guarantees the ATT athlete.

By Guilherme Cruz
Photo Marcelo Alonso

The victory over Tito Ortiz was what Lyoto Machida expected to throw him directly to a title shot, but the Brazilian fighter still have one fight to do and prove that he deserve it. With 13 victories and no losses, Lyoto faces his compatriot Thiago Silva, that has an identical card and the same objective: the belt. At an exclusive interview with TATAME, Lyoso analyzed his bout against the ATT athlete, spoke about facing a Brazilian fighter and analyzed the light-heavyweight category. “I know that this fight will show who is going to lose. The event will sell it this way, two unbeaten guys. I wanna do a great fight, a great show”, said Lyoto, on the exclusive interview that you can check today at TATAME.com.

By Guilherme Cruz
Photo Marcelo Alonso

After the end of the HCF, Rogério Minotouro Nogueira is ready to make his debut at the Affliction. Cosen to face Edwin Dewees, Minotouro knows that the North-American should try to keep the fight in the ground, since from his 35 wins, Dewees won 28 by submission. “I am ready to the stand up game, but he will try to take me down so I will look for the submission all the time”, said the black belt that is in California with his brother Rodrigo Minotauro and Amaury Bitetti.

The contract with Affliction safely the athlete that believes in the success of the event. “I hope to do one of the best fights of the night. The event had good exposure and I believe it will make big”, said Minotouro, who also commented his team mate Anderson Silva next fight at the lightweight division. “ Anderson is really very good. He is strong, fast and always fights calmly. He is going to win for sure”, bet the Brazilian that will be on the Affliction octagon on July 19^th.

By Guilherme Cruz
Photos Alexandre Pequeno

The defeat for Jose Aldo, the WEC 34, not only stopped  Alexandre "Pequeno" Nogueira from doing a good debut in the event, as the Brazilian has a controversial anti-doping test, which appointed the use of Boldenone. Reported by the Athletics Commission, Alexandre Pequeno said to the TATAME that have not yet received any official notification, but has come into contact with his manager, Alex Davis, to request a rebuttal. "I never used anything, and should not use this type of rough steroid. If I used something it would be GH, which is what every top athlete usually uses. I took the usual supplements, glutamine, creatine and Myoplex” ensures Pequeno, who believes that the result of the exams could be due some seminars in which he taught in and .

"If I had taken, I would be very aggressive in the fight, and who saw it realize that I was not aggressive. And this type of anabolic steroid is to get fat, to gain weight, and is used on animals. I had seminars in and and I had only eaten in restaurants specializing in barbecued meat, and they use this in cattle and goats there, and they may have used in any animal that I ate. I have been in a place where they asked you to choose the goat so they slaughter it and cook and I also have some photos here", said the athlete.

By Guilherme Cruz

A few days from his return to the octagon since September 2007, when he defeated James Zikic in the Cage Rage, Vitor Belfort is already in the U.S. training hard to his bout at Affliction, which will be hold on July 19, when he will face Terry Martin. "I'm in Las Vegas . I am focused on looking for another victory in my career. I miss my wife and children, but nothing in life is achieved without sacrifice, here I am literally meet the old days of my career", wrote Belfort in his blog, and thanked the fans support and rooting for the victory. "I am paying the price to be the champion. I hope that on 19^th I achieve the victory, in the name of Jesus", said Vitinho that posted on his blog some photos from his training at North America .

By Guilherme Cruz
Photo Marcelo Alonso

After face James Irvin in the UFC Fight Night 14 at the light-heavyweight category, in the event that will take place on July 19^th, Anderson Silva should defend his middleweight belt against an old acquaintance: Yushin Okami. "My next opponent should be Okami, and I will train hard to face him", said the champion, who also talked about the fight against the Japanese in the Rock The Rumble 8, when the Brazilian was disqualified. "The rules were not clear to me and I gave an illegal kick and I was disqualified. I was winning the fight and believe that he should not take one more round fighting with me. He is a great fighter and is very skilled, he is proving this in the UFC. I believe he has already accredited to dispute the belt", said Anderson to TATAME.

By Guilherme Cruz

The two biggest Brazilian MMA events will be broadcast live and free on internet. Jungle Fight Championship and Fury FC 6, that happen at July 12^th, has they card completed and the promoters announced the news. The most important Brazilian GP, the sixth edition of Fury FC will be broadcast at Sherdog’s site, and Jungle Fight, one of the most important and traditional events, will show it’s 13 great fights live at the Oi site (one of the biggest Brazilian phone company). Stay tuned and check everything about the events here, at TATAME.com.

By Guilherme Cruz
Photo Marcelo Alonso

Away from the octagon since September 2007, Maurício Shogun talked with TATAME after a magnetic resonance and is confident in his return to the UFC octagon. "My knee is very good, thanks to God. I was going to begin my hard train this week but I spoke to my doctor and he decides to make the exams this week. I have been doing Boxing and physical train, and I think next week I will return to the Jiu-Jitsu and gradually train more", said Shogun, who watched, last Saturday, the man who defeated him at his last appearance win the UFC belt, but for a while Shogun don’t think in a return fight against Forrest Griffin.

“I will train hard to face anyone. I had a defeat on my debut and I can’t choose my opponent. It is not settle yet, but I expect to return on December, it’s better for me”, said Shogun, that will open a branch of the Universidade da Luta, at Curitiba , on 21^st this month. “On 21^st there will be a event only for the press and on 22^nd there will be the open class to more than 800 students. Wanderlei Silva will be here”, said the athlete.

By Guilherme Cruz
Photo Josh Hedges

Directly interested in the Light weight belt, Lyoto Machida disagree from the judges decision that appointed Forrest Griffin as the new champion against Quinton Jackson. “In my opinion, Quinton defeated Forrest, but they give it to Forrest. I think that now they are going to put him against Chuck Liddell to him to take the belt again. I think they prefer Chuck with the belt, he is a former champion, has more marketing and sell more”, analyzed Lyoto that also commented Anderson Silva debut at the category. “I think Anderson is going well at any category. He is fast and very technique, I think this is his difference”, commented Lyoto, that doesn’t want to face his friend at the Ultimate. “I had never thought about that. He is a very good friend and helps me a lot. He is a little much older than me and always gives me tips, so I don’t want to face him”, said Lyoto.

By Eduardo Ferreira
Photo Marcelo Alonso

After the second place at the BJJ World and the second title at the female, Royler tries another historical result to Gracie Humaitá, at the Rio International Open Championship, that will be hold on 26^th and 27th July at Tijuca tennis Clube, at Rio de Janeiro. To become the champion Royler guarantied that he will have a strong team at the event that could have his presence at the mat.

“We won the last two editions and we want to keep on top. We are going with a good team, which will have Regis, Megaton, Saulo Ribeiro said that he is going to fight too, Paulo Coelho, Osmar Salum, all World champions. I have will to fight too, but amateur championship doesn’t gives money. I have to find a sponsorship and so return to the beginning. I am at , but I arrive next week and I am going to train hard with the guys. The will to compete always exist”, said the four times World champion.

By Guilherme Cruz
Photo Marcelo Alonso

Paulão Filho got a scare last Tuesday night. His father felt seek and had a heart attack, but were quickly helped and is already feeling well. After the scare, the WEC champion decided to postpone a seminary that was schedule on August 8^th at . “Everything is well now, thanks to God. Everybody is well after this scare, both father and son”, said Josuel Distak, athlete coach, which prepares Paulão to his return on September 10^th, at the return fight against Chael Sonnen.

“The training is very good, he is ready to fight. Nino Shembri came to help him train, we are stronger than ever. Rafael Manteiga, that is going to fight at Jungle Fight is making part of his trains with Paulão also”, said Distak that also take a chance to give a result to the fight. “For this time we are going to pull his arm out”, betted.

By Eduardo Ferreira
Photo Marcelo Alonso

The defeat to Kevin Burnes at UFC 85 has made the Brazilian Roan Jucão drops some steps in the ranking of the welterweight category. However, UFC 88, which is scheduled to take place on September 6 at Atlanta, United States, Jucão will have a double chance in his career. The first is the return fight against Ryo Chonan, who defeated his at Deep on 2005, and the second, is the opportunity to re-breathe at the event. "This is an important fight for the Jucão. It is a fight he wanted for a long time and it didn’t happen at UFC 85 because Chonan got injured. He is now training hard and he is going very well prepared for this fight", revealed to TATAME the manager Alex Davis.