Tell me about this story of fighting as heavyweight?
My dream always is fighting as a heavyweight. I started over the under 67kg, and I fought most part of my career as a middleweight. Now I feel good with 94kg, but with my new sponsor (Max Efective) I want to reach 100kg. I also have a new manager and I do consider him the best in the world. I will be fighting soon in some international event. Unfortunately I still cannot publish his name or the name of the event.
As a heavyweight, would you accept to fight someone from Chute Boxe?
I have no problem with that. Even because is my profession. I cannot deny I do thank that school for lots of things in my career. But I would not quit fighting for it.
How is training in there?
Timing here is hard. We had some athlete who got injured few months ago... he suffered a fracture in his omoplata... the fight seemed like Wanderlei Vs Sakuraba. He had a broken nose and bleed a lot... I almost lost a fighter after a convulsion. I also need to talk with God, because he was a long time away... Thanks God he recovered himself and he is training again. He got a black eye..
And how it works?
BJJ black belt Pelúcio (Gracie Barra) teaches Jiu-Jitsu on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Rafael, He-Man's pupil, teaches Wrestling twice a week and I teach Muay Thai everyday in the morning and my father teaches Boxing.
Tell me about your team, the Pelé Team...
I have several students... and I have a Team full of athletes who give their blood for the team. Incredible.
Two of your pupils, Ninja and Gaúcho were KO'd over the last edition of your event. What do you think about it?
I am sure this happened because my absence. I took care of the event a month and a half and the guys relaxed the training. Ninja, for example, just did three classes.
And about your event? Do you have a clue when its gonna be the next one?
We already have a sponsor and it's everything set up for the third edition of Original Challenge. Really soon we gonna release the date and the place of the event.
Who is the best fighter nowadays in your opinion?
I am the best. But there are some talented guys over there as Minotauro, Wanderlei and Randy Couture. They are tough.
Who wants to join Pelé Team...
I have been receiving calls from every places in Brazil and we gonna be moving out to a bigger gym. We gonna count with dorms to host outsiders. For information, please call (55-41) 335-7328.
When do you plan to stop fighting?
In five years from now I might consider it and take care of my athletes. I still have lots of things to conquer. My goal is reaching the top of Vale-Tudo. I will do everything I can to make it real.
www.tatame.com
"No limits. No fear."