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Wywiad z szogunem
delly - 9 lis 2008, o 21:40
Mauricio Shogun is completely focused on his upcoming January-17th fight, in Ireland, against rival Mark Coleman. In an interview conceded exclusively to Nalty Jr., GRACIEMAG.com collaborator, the fighter spoke of several subjects, among them his win over Ricardo Arona, who had beaten his brother Murilo Ninja and teammate Wanderlei Silva.
Shogun gave his opinion on who will take the UFC heavyweight belt and went on to comment on how he is preparing for his upcoming bout with Mark Coleman, when he hopes to put an end to the grudge the two hold for each other. ‶Now we’ll put each other to the test at the UFC in Ireland in January,” said the black belt, in the interview that follows:
You had some great fights during the ‶golden years” of MMA, the Pride GP 2005 in Japan has marked the sport’s history. What was the importance of that event for your career?
Every fight I had at that GP was a dream fulfilled. Just having been able to step into an event like that was satisfying, as I was the 16th athlete to be called up, the last on the list. Thank God I managed to conquer my space, proving I had what it takes to be champion. I showed the world I’m a great fighter. That event was certainly a great moment in my career.
The GP final was marked by the title dispute between you and Ricardo Arona, who had beaten your brother Murilo Ninja at a previous Pride event, and who had beaten your friend and teammate Wanderlei Silva in the semifinal. Was that personal motivation for you on that night?
The truth is I felt a certain responsibility. Wanderlei is a person I hold in high esteem, to this day. But I didn’t even think about that at the time of the fight. I tried to keep as focused as I could and I didn’t think of avenging Wanderlei, my brother or the team at all. That, in my opinion, would just work against me. I just focused on what needed to be done and I got the result.
Pride came to an end, you went to the UFC, ended up hurting your knee, which put you on ice for awhile and out of training rhythm. Now how are you planning to make it to the top of the category?
I have my next fight set for January 17th, in Ireland. And that is my objective and focus for now. I will doubtlessly give it my all; I’ll fight like it’s the most important fight of my life. I’m going to get back to winning and thus be able to repay my fans around the world for their affection.
In your opinion, do you still not consider the fight with Mark Coleman at Pride to be a loss, what really happened?
During the fight I ended up hurting my arm and that kept me from finishing the fight.
Do you think that fight should have been considered a ‶No Contest”?
Well, I personally would never want to beat someone that way. I wouldn’t celebrate the win and wouldn’t go bragging about it, and that’s what Coleman did the whole time. I was really bothered by him celebrating the win in that way, and afterwards talking a lot of crap about me in interviews. I always respected all the fighters I’ve fought, since I know how hard it is to make it to the top of the list and just getting into the ring means you’re a winner, so they deserve respect.
What are your expectations for your next fight at the UFC?
I respect Coleman as an athlete, the guy’s an MMA legend. I hope to have a good fight with him, I’m confident. God willing I’ll win.
At Pride you’d fight many times a year, in the UFC the intervals between fights is greater. Do you think that is good or detrimental?
In my case I’m coming off a knee injury, I’ve been on ice a year and for now this slower pace is good, until I’m back in rhythm.
Do you think at the UFC, your category is currently the most competitive?
My category certainly has great fighters and without a doubt the most hotly contested.
What was it like to go this whole time without fighting?
Going such a long time without fighting is always bad. Now, I have to make up for lost time in my training and get back to rhythm. Now I have my own team: Universidade de Luta and I can count on all the facilities I need to prepare for combat. Shortly I’ll be ready, in fighting rhythm.
Did you expect a different adversary for your first fight?
In the category in which I fight there are only top guys, so I see about 10 guys I could fight. Coleman really is a guy I want to face, because of our last fight, but I wasn’t sure it would be him. This was good for both of us, we’ll be able to set the story straight.
How is training going?
As my fight is only in January, I’m still going kinda slow, just the basics: Jiu-Jitsu, muay thai and pumping iron. I’ll wait to get a little closer to the fight and push myself more.
You were a hero during the days of MMA in Japan and now, like the majority, came to ‶MMA USA”. What has this move been like?
The first international event I fought at was in the USA, called the IFC. Now the center of the fight world is here, the sport grew and I’m happy to be a part of the UFC.
Who do you think will take the UFC heavyweight title?
I think Minotauro and Randy Couture will go through to the final. Both guys are good, but to me Minotauro will take the title.
You represented Chute Boxe during the days of Pride. What’s it like now that you have your own team?
My view is that’s the evolution of the sport. During the days at Chute Boxe I learned a lot of things and evolved a lot, I can’t deny my roots, but these days I’m much happier with my own team.
What do you think of MMA these days?
MMA is the fastest growing sport these days and it will soon be as popular as soccer.
What’s the most important win of your career?
All of them! (Laughs)
And your worst loss?
My UFC debut, the fight with Forrest Griffin. I learned a lot with that fight. That time I lost the fight for myself. I was going through some personal problems at the time, I ended up losing focus on training, those who were around me then know, but I never made excuses or talked about that in the press. Let’s leave that aside, all that’s in the past. Now I’m going to do my best to get back on my feet.
rdeko: graciemag.com
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