Rogerio “Minotouro” Nogueira is fighting Alexanser Gustafsson on the first UFC show in Sweden, on April 14, and warned, on an exclusive interview with TATAME TV, what the fans might hope of his fight. “I train harder when I’m fighting a striker, I can do a good fight. I was born a counter attacker and that’s how I have greater chances to get the knockout… I’ll go for the knockout until the end”, shoot the Brazilian, who has knocked out names like Tito Ortiz and Luiz Cane in UFC, commenting on adapting his lifestyle to UFC, in comparison to the extinct Pride and his journey ‘step by step’ until the chance at the title. Check it:

You’re fighting in Sweden. You’ve asked for a striker and UFC gave you one.

That’s right. I train harder when I’m fighting a striker, I really like training Muay Thai, Boxing. I guess  I can do a good fight. I’m a good fighter in the end of the fights, I can hold my impulse and do better later, I was born a counter attacker and that’s how I have greater chances to get the knockout. Tito Ortiz came to strike against me, and I got the knockout. Cane tried to sant-up and I got to knock him out. I can do a good fight against striker. It’s not because I don’t know Wrestling. Yes, I’m actually a lot better defending the takedowns, after I left Pride I had to adjust because the rules and the cage are different. I guess I can fight anywhere, but I rather stand-up because fans dig the knockouts and I’m a fighter who likes giving the KO to the fans.

You’re coming from a great win against Tito Ortiz, a former champion. Now you’re fighting against a growing athlete. A win can put you on the line for the title. How are the trainings and the expectations for the fight?

The trainings are hard, I’m doing a background check, I’m working on my strength, my resistance, endurance, focusing on my conditioning now. I’m getting my body ready to train hard and begin the sparing sessions. I’m training each modality separately: Jiu-Jitsu, Wrestling, Boxing, strength, cardio… So then later I train MMA. The trainings are already tough and we’re training hard to handle it. There’re three months to go, but the important thing is starting to train hard two months before the bout.

Where do you think a victory against him leaves you at in the division?

Well, it depends a lot of the win. A win via points makes me move one step further, a win via knockout, two, three. It depends a lot on how I win. I really want to get a knockout to be in a good position. I’m a fighter who doesn’t like to get stuck during the fight. It’s hard to see me doing that. If I take someone down, I’ll try to use the ground and pound until the end. If I’m standing up I’ll go for the knockout. It’s something like that: if you knock me out, I’ll knock you out (laughs). I’ll go for the knockout until the end, absolutely. I’m moving forward. I’ll try to do a good fight to be in a good spot on this ranking. I’ll go for the knockout and I’ll stay among the top 3 of the division.

UFC is promoting its first event in Sweden and you’re fighting in the main event of the evening. What do you think about that?

I can’t complain about UFC. They’re being good for me, I did a co-main event against Phil Davis and now against Tito Ortiz it was supposed to be the co-main event, but then they matched Lyoto up (with Jon Jones) and it was the third fight, but it’s really a big fight, almost a co-main event. Now they really know what I’m capable of and they’re really proving that and I’ll have to prove them right. I have great responsibility and I know my talent, I know what I can do, so let’s bet on my experience. I’m much more experience, I have a bigger name and I’ll bet on my name to bring this win home.

Source: Tatame

All three UFC veterans were on hand Friday to help promote the official launch of Bony Acai, a nutrient replenishment drink based in Brazil.

The ceremony was held in the luxury halls of the Hotel Windsor in Barra, Brazil, before an audience of more than 200 fans and sales professionals.

After a brief product presentation made by product founder Bony Monteiro, Machida, “Minotauro” and “Minotoro” entered the room and received a warm reception from those in attendance.

Machida had the floor first and began by sharing some important motivational lessons given during his childhood by his father, Yoshizo Machida. The fighter also had some fun with the fact that he is the only athlete whose likeness is identified with the product.

“I do not know if you know, but I practice urine therapy. Now, with this acai in supermarkets throughout Brazil, when you hear someone saying ‘I have drank Lyoto,’ it does not mean that someone drank my pee, but the taste from Para of Bony Acai,” joked Machida, drawing laughter from the audience.

Up next was Minotauro, who was asked to compare a loss in the cage to an unsuccessful sale. The 41-fight veteran responded by referencing the difficulties that accompanied the recent operations on his hip and knee.

“I could not even walk for six months,” he said. “If I thought only that my ultimate goal was to fight (at UFC 134), I would never have achieved it. But I set smaller goals, and each goal that was reached was like a victory.

“In the end, I not only fought in the UFC Rio (event), but I won by knockout. You have in selling a similar routine to us (as fighters). To receive a ‘no’ as an answer is (just) a portion of the path for you, but when we set goals and have the willpower, we can achieve those goals,” he said.

He also lauded Monteiro’s stubborn nature.

“Six years ago he said that one day he would put his mark on the Octagon’s biggest event in the world. Many thought he was crazy, but he ran after that and achieved his goals,” Minotauro said. “Today the brand ‘Bony’ is not only inside the Octagon, but also in the head of the main champions of the sport.”

A late-arriving Minotoro capped off the presentation by thanking Monteiro for his contributions to the sport.

“I’d like to thank Bony, who always believed in us long before the sport reached the level it has achieved. Now we have sponsors offering three times more than Bony to wear their cap, but we did not take the purple cap off our heads, because we are faithful and appreciate who supported us in difficult times.”

After the lecture, the three fighters spent nearly two hours meeting the press and taking pictures with a huge line of fans.

Source: Sherdog

What are your thoughts about the fight? Did everything happen according to your plans?

Yeah. I knew Chad was a great wrestler and that he would try use the ground game against me, so I tried to prevent the takedowns. We tried to play our game and keep the distance so we could get the win.

Once again you proved your takedown defense is perfect. Is it something you train a lot because you know people are afraid of standing-up against you?

People always ask me about that. It’s something I always work on and we just try to get better and better. This time we brought Gray Maynard, so he coming here was great because he told me about his experience and all and it was great. We could give the fans that big show, I’m glad.

There were many expectations towards your return to Rio, especially on the main event, defending your title. Everybody wanted to talk to you, the press wanted interviews and all. How did you get prepared for that?

It was all cool. We gotta know how to handle the fans and the press because it is something that comes along with our success. So it’s cool. I always tried to talk to Dede (Andre Pederneiras) because I really wanted that, I wanted to put on a good show. I got my previous wins by points, so nothing better than fighting in Brazil, in the UFC, on the main event, to bring them this big show.

What changed in your life since this fight?

I’m getting more recognized, especially now it was broadcasted by an open TV channel. Wherever I go, people know me, ask me to take pictures, people talk to me, so it’s great. I’m prepared for that. I’ve always wanted to get to the place I am now, so now we just gotta work a lot to keep the flame alive.

You’ve tied Faber’s record of title defenses in WEC and in the UFC. What are your plans now?

The next step is to keep defending my title for a long time. We’re achieving our goals now, I’m seeing some of my personal dreams coming true, so we gotta keep working and I’m sure we’re gonna break much more records.

Many fans would like to see you on the lightweight, but Pederneiras said you’d only do that if you get a chance at the title. What do you think about that?

That I leave for Andre to decide. He takes care of my career. He knows better. If he thinks I should fight, I will. If he thinks it’s not the time yet, I’ll stay here. I’m feeling great on the featherweight. I really wanted to test myself a while ago, since I was at WEC, but Andre knows better. I’ll fight if he wants me to, otherwise I’ll just stay here.

When you saw Chad Mendes was knocked out you ran to the fans, like you once did in WEC. What were you thinking?

Actually I was running to one side of the octagon but I ran to the other. It was big, man. Since Ultimate matched we up people were being very affectionate, fans sent me messages, so I thought to myself: if I win this thing, I’m gonna run to the fans. Thank God everything worked out, I could run. The fans liked it, everyone liked it, so it was great.

Only the cops who ran after you didn’t like it, right?

(laughs) Absolutely. I remember many security guards tried to pull me and many people tried to grab me. It happens. We tried to put a show and it was perfect. No one got hurt and it was great.

Another knockout in your career. Is there a place for you to get a skull tattooed?

One day I joked with a reporter and he published it, that I always get a tattoo, but it’s not like that. That’s a myth (laughs).

Source: Tatame

What are your thoughts about the fight?

I was prepared for another opponent, Reza Madadi, and they replaced him for a tough and undefeated guy with most of his wins vis submission, but thank God Jiu-Jitsu spoke for itself… I could honor the coral belt of my master (Royler Gracie).

Was that the game plan all along?

Actually, I trained for a stand-up fight, but they’ve replaces a right-handed wrestler for a left-handed who’s faster and lighter… When we started striking, I felt I was heavier than him and I decided to activate my ground game. Everybody was worries about his ground game, but I’m a black belt graduated by Royler and it’s hard to surprise me on the floor.

Have you consider declining it because it was a last call fight?

I was called at the last minute to replace Rafaello Oliveira (Trator), my opponent was also replaced, so I couldn’t decline it. Since I left UFC I’ve worked to come back and I got that chance sooner than I thought, but I was trained.

You needed an extra time to cut weight. Was it because they called you at the last minute?

I was doing fine, cutting weight… They called me like 20 days before and I was really heavy, like 185lbs, and it was right before Christmas and New Year’s Eve (laughs), but I always do sauna on the day of the weight-in and the previous day, but this time I couldn’t do it because it was too far from the hotel, so I tried to cut weight at the gym, but I couldn’t lose 1,1lbs. They gave me two hours for the sauna, and then I cut it there.

How does it feel winning in the UFC for the first time after a defeat and a draw?

It was a relief and the achievement of a long-term work I’ve been doing for years to be in there and winning… I can’t describe. It seems like I’m living in a dream since UFC called me to come back. I’m glad to win, especially the way it happened. I was the only Brazilian on the card and that made it a bigger responsibility for me, but I got the win for me and for Brazil.

Did you feel the responsibility for being the only Brazilian?

One week before I saw Jose Alto at UFC Rio and the excitement of the fans with his win, and that cheered me up even more. I put much responsibility on this comeback, even though they called me with 20 days in advance. I haven’t stopped training for a second since I left UFC and I had to win to stay here. The only outcome I was interested in was the win. Thank God it worked out and I wanna thank everyone who cheered for me and thank my sponsors.

There were many submissions that night and you didn’t get the bonus. That was the only thing that could make it even more perfect, right?

Yeah… We watched the last fights, but, to be honest, I’d give the bonus to Josh Neer, for his guillotine choke. I thought that, if I was losing it, it was for him. But, independently of that, the win is the reward I was hoping for. If I have the chance to knockout or submit on the next event, I will.

Will you take some vacations now?

Not at all, work never stops! I’m motivated to train, I want to be at the gym by tomorrow. I’ll tell Joe Silva and Dana White they can’t leave me at the shelf because I’m thirsty. I’m ready to fight anyone, anytime.

What comes next?

Now I’ll watch my friend’s fights in the UFC on February 15th, Bernardo Trekko. We’ve started together at Gracie Tijuca. I’ve pulled together an army back then. There was Jorge Britto, Leopolso Seao, Rodrigo Smurf, Trekko… There was a big team we had. Since I came to the United States they started to get scattered, but Trekko went to Australia and built a great recod there.

Source: Tatame

Winless in his first two UFC appearances, Camoes defeated Tommy Hayden at UFC on FOX 1 and earned his first win in the UFC.

The two clashed in one of six FUEL TV-broadcast preliminary bouts at UFC on FX 1, which took place at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.

Camoes controlled the center of the cage early, but he walked into a few strikes from his southpaw opponent and looked as if he might be in some trouble on the feet. Hayden then took the fight to the floor with a powerful double-leg takedown, but he quickly returned to the feet. Camoes then shot in with a takedown attempt, but Hayden wound up in top in the back-and-forth exchanges.

Settling in on his back, Camoes then wen to an omo plata attempt and used the maneuver to sweep to the top. Hayden tried desperately to pull free, but Camoes slid his left arm under the neck for a rear-naked choke.

As Hayden drifted into unconsciousness, he let out a few half-hearted taps that referee Josh Rosenthal didn’t immediately acknowledge. The movements continued, and Rosenthal halted the affair just before Hayden went to sleep.

“It feels amazing,” Camoes said after the win. “I’ve been waiting for this opportunity in the UFC my whole life, and I’m so happy to get the victory in that way.

“I’m a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, but I want to show the world I’m a well-rounded fighter. We started striking, which surprised me because I know he’s good on the ground. We scrambled a bit, then I got the opportunity to get on his back.”

With the win, Camoes improves to 10-1-1 in his past 12 fights, with the two blemishes coming in his previous UFC bouts. Jorge Gurgel product Hayden (8-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) loses for the first time as a professional.

“I took this fight on short notice – seven days,” Hayden said. “I busted my butt the last week with no rest. No excuses though.

“I wanted to keep him standing because I know he’s a black best in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. “I tried to use my wrestling to keep him on his feet and strike it out. He got me down on the ground and just flat got the better of me.”

Up-to-the-minute fight results include:
Fabricio Camoes def. Tommy Hayden via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 4:03
Daniel Pineda def. Pat Schilling via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 1:37
Nick Denis def. Joseph Sandoval via KO (elbows) – Round 1, 0:22

Source: MMAJunkie

Fabricio Camoes (13-6-1 MMA, 0-1-1 UFC), now a lightweight, lasted 25 minutes and 14 seconds against the current UFC middleweight champion before retiring from their 1997 tournament bout. He was just 18 years old at the time the pair fought in Brazil.

So whether Camoes’ next opponent was destined to be Reza Madadi (now injured) or Tommy Hayden (8-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) or some other John Doe Six Pack, his train of thought is always going to be, “Okay, that’s fine. At least it’s not Anderson.”

Camoes faces Hayden  on the FUEL TV preliminary card of UFC on FX 1. The main card airs live on FX and features lightweight headliners Melvin Guillard and Jim Miller. The event takes place Jan. 20 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.

“[Silva] used to fight the same way,” Camoes told MMAjunkie.com Radio(www.mmajunkie.com/radio). “His striking was unbelievable. His reach was real good. Today we are training partners. I train with him all the time when he comes here to the U.S. to train at Black House.

“Anderson is a very experienced guy, and I learned a lot from fighting him and training with him too.”

Growing up in an athlete-rich family in Rio de Janeiro, Camoes started playing soccer and practicing martial arts at a very early age.

In fact, his grandfather was a member of the 1958 and 1962 World Cup-winning Brazilian national teams led by the great Pele.

“He passed away a few years ago, but I still have his memory in my head,” Camoes said. “I watched some videotapes, and when I was younger he used to go with me to the fields and watch me play. He gave good advice and it was really nice to have him around me.

“He always told me to do what I feel good doing and always was encouraging me to do sports.”

Camoes, himself, was always a better martial artist than a soccer player.

“I started with judo at 8 years old, and I started fighting tae kwon do,” Camoes said. “And at 13 years old I started jiu-jitsu and never stopped.”

His first professional MMA fight came five years later in the aforementioned 1997 tournament in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Camoes defeated Eliezer Ninja by first round TKO and then advanced to face Silva that same evening.

“MMA is something that is in my blood,” Camoes said. “It’s something I love to do and I feel very happy. That’s when I feel alive, when I’m inside that cage. For me, it’s natural.”

Despite a somewhat ugly record at first glance due to early career struggles, Camoes has lost just once since September 2006 and is 9-1-1 in his past 11 contests.

“In the beginning of my career I never cut weight right,” Camoes said. “I came from a jiu-jitsu background. In jiu-jitsu matches, you go straight to the scale to the fight so I never used to cut weight. All my losses I fought with the heavier opponents. And after I cut to 155 (pounds), my first loss was to Kurt Pellegrino.”

Pellegrino submitted Camoes via second-round rear-naked choke at UFC 111 in “Morango’s” only UFC fight to date.

Following a release from the promotion, Camoes subsequently racked up back-to-back wins over credible opponents StevecLopez and Efrain Escudero under the Tachi Palace Fights banner.

His performances earned him a trip back to the big leagues, where he is set to welcome the newcomer Hayden, who accepted the fight on one week’s notice as a late replacement for Madadi.

There’s essentially no time to get acquainted with one another before they meet in the octagon. It’s a tough position to be in, but it’s the same for both guys.

“I’ve fought with all kinds of guys in my career already, so I’ve experienced fights with different guys,” Camoes said. “I’ve seen a lot of things in my career.”

Whatever Hayden brings to the table on fight night, Camoes knows he’ll be up to the challenge.

It’s not like he’s facing “The Spider” or anything.

Source: MMAJunkie

MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) reported the Harden vs. Camoes fight earlier today.

UFC on FX 1 takes place at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. The main card airs on FX, and the prelims air on FUEL TV.

UFC on FX 1 also airs internationally a variety of broadcast outlets.

In addition to the lightweight headliner of Melvin Guillard vs. Jim Miller, main-card bouts include the likes of welterweights Duane “Bang” Ludwig vs. Josh Neer, bantamweights Mike Easton vs. Jared Papazian, and heavyweights Pat Barry vs. Christian Morecraft. The prelims air at 6 p.m. ET (3 p.m. PT) on FUEL TV, and FX airs the main card at 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT).

The official UFC on FX 1 card now includes:

MAIN CARD (FX)

• Melvin Guillard vs. Jim Miller
• Duane “Bang” Ludwig vs. Josh Neer
• Mike Easton vs. Jared Papazian
• Pat Barry vs. Christian Morecraft

PRELIMINARY CARD (FUEL TV)

• Jorge Rivera vs. Eric Schafer
• Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Kamal Shalorus
• Charlie Brenneman vs. Daniel Roberts
• Fabricio Camoes vs. Tommy Hayden
• Daniel Pineda vs. Pat Schilling
• Nick Denis vs. Joseph Sandoval

Source: MMAJunkie

Source: MMAWeekly

Here are a few pics by James Law for Heavy.com

Another perfect night for Jose Aldo in the UFC, keeping the wonderful job he’s been doing since WEC. What are your thought about the fight?

Like you said, it was perfect. Everything went just like we planned. There was just this time the guy caught him against the fence. Besides that, he defended all the takedowns, and there were many of them. He wanted to risk it, doing some combinations and walking around. The guy found his waist, but then it was over.

Did you focused on these takedown defenses?

We worked for everything, Junior was ready for any situation.

How important was bringing Gray Maynard to train with him? Aldo’s pretty good on his feet and he’s showing he is also great defending the takedowns.

Actually, we always trained it a lot. Jose Aldo’s been training for a wrestler since he joined the event, so it was just another one.

We’ve seen comments in international forums and the guys criticized Jose Aldo training takedown defenses with no fence, since there’s no octagon at Nova Uniao’s training center. Do you believe it could be a factor for that moment you mentioned?

We work using the wall, and it’s the same to me. Actually, you have to put the guy in a way he doesn’t slip, different than with the rope. He didn’t train with ropes, he trained with walls. We always use the fence at Manguinhos. To me, it’s the same.

How did Gray Maynard help him out?

It was great, and it was important so he gained more confidence. Bringing a guy like Gray made us realize we had set the right game plan and trainings. It was perfect having him here.

Where are you heading now?

Man, winning all the belts.

He rules this division for a while now. What do you think about the challenges left on this division? There’re few names he hasn’t fought…

Man, now we wait to see know comes next. I really am waiting to see what happens to know how we will behave, but now I guess we can only party because we’re coming from two consecutive wins, so we’re cool.

How does it feel to knockout after two wins via points?

Man, I always say that even when Jose Aldo doesn’t knockout or submit, like on the last couple of fights, he spanked the hell out of them. It’s a matter of landing the coup, like it happened this time. If it didn’t happen and they fought until the end, probably he would have smashed the guy and wouldn’t get the KO or the submission. Sometimes we get it and sometimes we don’t. This time we did it and on the first round.

You talked about going to the lightweight division, but in that case he would have a long way to the title. What do you think about that?

He would only go if it was a title fight, it’s only worth if it’s something like that.

Do you think they will offer him that?

Well, it’s not up to me, but if he had the chance…

Depending on who wins, how do you see him fighting Frankie Edgar or Ben Henderson?

I guess we’re cool. Aldo’s regular weight is 167lbs and he’s a guy who’s actually close to that weight, so he would gain like four more pounds and then cut weight. There’s no problem with that.

What are the plans for the other athletes?

There’s Renan, who’s getting there, he has great chances of bringing another title home. That’s it. We’re training hard, as always.

With this win, do you believe Renan can fight for the title?

I believe so, man. Now is wait to see what happens.

Source: Tatame

AP Photo/Felipe Dana

Aldo (21-1, 3-0 UFC) was utterly brilliant in the UFC 142 main event, as he retained his featherweight crown with a spectacular knockout victory over the previously unbeatenChad Mendes on Saturday at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Mendes (11-1, 2-1 UFC) met his end 4:59 into round one. Afterward, a triumphant Aldo stormed out of the cage and into the middle of a boisterous, pro-Brazilian crowd, where he was carried around on the shoulders of his countrymen in an emotional scene that will not soon be forgotten.

“This is why we do this,” Aldo said through a translator. “I can only thank my team. I’m nobody without my team.”

The finish was breathtaking. The two men engaged in an extended clinch against the cage, with Mendes attached to Aldo’s back. The Brazilian champion separated Mendes’ hands, broke free and, in one motion, turned and met the challenger with a knee to the head that was equal parts exquisite and devastating. The Team Alpha Male standout went stiff and hit the canvas. Aldo followed, blasted him with a right hand and put an exclamation point on his 14th consecutive victory.

“I knew he was going to go for my legs, and I knew I had to throw that knee,” Aldo said. “Thankfully, I put it on the right spot.”

From the start, it did not go well for Mendes. Aldo attacked with savage kicks to the legs and stymied every one of his takedown attempts. With the decorated amateur wrestler unable to put the fight in a more advantageous position, it was only a matter of time before Aldo zeroed in.

“Jose’s a great champion,” Mendes said. “He’s a tough dude. This is the best I’ve ever felt for a fight. I was very prepared, and he got me. He’s very athletic, very fast, with great footwork. He was the better man.”

Source: Sherdog

Five months after middleweight champion Anderson Silva sent the HSBC Arena into a frenzy at UFC 134, Aldo knocked out Chad Mendes in the first round to defend his featherweight title for a third time.

The title fight headlined UFC 142 and aired on pay-per-view following prelims on Facebook and FX. It took place at HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro.

No sooner did Aldo finish Mendes than he bounced out of the cage and hurled himself into the audience, which threatened to swallow him whole as it erupted in cheers.

After an extended celebration, Aldo returned to thank his teammates.

“Tonight’s my mother’s birthday,” he said through a translator. “I have to dedicate this fight to her.”

The end came after Aldo escaped a takedown and fired off a knee that caught Mendes on the chin and sent him to the canvas. Mendes was already unconscious when a follow-up punch landed. Referee Mario Yamasaki waved off the bout at the 4:59 mark of the first round.

Twice before, Aldo had managed to escape the takedowns of Mendes, who brought to the title fight impressive wrestling credentials that were thought to be his advantage leading into the fight. Mendes attacked Aldo’s legs early on with kicks, but it was clear that Aldo’s strikes were superior when he returned fire.

Afterward, he paid tribute to the champion’s skill.

“He’s a great champion,” Mendes said. “I felt the best I’ve ever felt for any fight. I was very prepared, and he got me.”

Aldo (21-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) has not tasted defeat in six years of professional competition and is now 3-0 in the UFC following an eight-fight streak in the now-defunct WEC, where he also held the featherweight belt.

Mendes (11-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) suffers the first defeat of his professional career after going 4-0 in the WEC and 2-0 in the UFC.

Up-to-the-minute fights results include:

• Jose Aldo def. Chad Mendes via knockout (knee and punches) – Round 1, 4:59 – retains featherweight title
• Vitor Belfort def. Anthony Johnson via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 4:45
• Rousimar Palhares def. Mike Massenzio via submission (heel hook) – Round 1, 1:03
• Carlo Prater def. Erick Silva via disqualification (illegal punches) – Round 1, 0:29
• Edson Barboza def. Terry Etim via knockout (spinning heel kick) – Round 3, 2:02
• Thiago Tavares def. Sam Stout via unanimous decision (no scores given)
• Gabriel Gonzaga def. Ednaldo Oliveira via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:22
• Yuri Alcantara def. Michihiro Omigawa via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
• Mike Pyle def. Ricardo Funch via TKO (knees and punches) – Round 1, 1:22
• Felipe Arantes def. Antonio Carvalho via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Source: MMAJunkie

That also means that by the time Jose Aldo and Chad Mendesstep into the cage for their UFC featherweight title fight, it could be as late as 3:30 a.m. BRST. The unusual schedule shouldn’t be too much of a problem for the challenger Mendes, who arrived in Brazil on Tuesday, and who trains out of Sacramento, Calif., where it will be approximately 9:30 p.m. PST by the time the fight gets underway.

It may affect the champion Aldo, who lives and trains in Brazil. However, Aldo quickly put those concerns to rest on a recent conference, saying he trained in the middle of the night to get his body ready to fight at that hour.

“It really doesn’t make a difference,” Aldo said through a translator. “You’re always going to be training around the time that you’re going to be fighting, so if you’re fighting around noon, or be it midnight or three o’clock in the morning, it really doesn’t make a difference.

“It all comes down to being well-trained and being prepared to step in there on fight night.”

When the UFC last visited Brazil in August the time difference wasn’t so great. But since North American clocks were turned back an hour in November, signaling the end of Daylight Savings time, and Brazilian clocks were turned forward an hour in anticipation of their summer season, it created a greater time difference between Brazil and North America.

Source: MMAFighting

The first one to train was Johnson, and he trained striking and takedown attempts. Then came the American Chad Mendes. Vitor Belfort went on stage next and, differently from the others, trained his ground game. Featherweight title holder, Jose Aldo was the last one to go up and train.

Confident, Anthony Johnson wasn’t intimidated for being in Brazil and promised to dominate the Phenom.

“I’ll use everything in my power to dominate Vitor in all possible ways”, affirmed “Rumble”, who wants to remain on the division after the bout.

Trained by the Brazilian Fabio “Pateta” Prado, Chad Mendes like the experience of training outside the gym.

“It’s my first outdoor train. It was pretty cool. I feel better than ever and on the 14th I’ll do my best”.

A lot chanted by the fans, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Vitor Belfort, one of the most known fighters in the country, commented he would do his best to defeat his opponent, in his hometown.

“My responsibility is to do the best. It’s what I’ve been doing. It’s a tough week for all fighters, because they gotta cut weight, but I have a great team beside me, all Brazil as my gas and what I offer my bosses, sponsors and gans is to do my best. I’m focused as an arrow sees the mark. That’s my job”.

Leaded by Andre Pederneiras, head-coach of Nova Uniao team, Jose Aldo did a brief presentation to the fans and talked about the pleasure of fighting on the Wonderful City.

“Feeling the fan’s support is wonderful, it’s something special in my life. We can’t underestimate anyone, that’s the fight I asked for, so I’m going for it. The belt is ours, it’s like a son to me and nobody’s taking it from me. You gotta kill me first”.

Source: Tatame

If Chael Sonnen gets by Mark Munoz later this month at UFC on FOX 2, his next bout could be a huge one.

UFC president Dana White recently joined “UFC Tonight” on FUEL TV to discuss potential plans for a long-awaited rematch.

In the segment, which ultimately didn’t make it to air, White said that if Sonnen gets his rematch with UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva, it’ll likely take place in Silva’s home country of Brazil – in a soccer stadium.

That means the fight could headline the UFC’s second-ever stadium show (the first, UFC 129, took place this past April in Toronto) and its first-ever outdoor event. UFC officials previously have talked about using a Brazilian venue that could accommodate up to 100,000 spectators for a future event.

“We’ll see what happens,” White said. “We’re talking about doing the big fight – obviously, if Sonnen faces Anderson Silva, that’s going to be a hot ticket. People from all over the world want to see that. That fight, if that fight goes down, it’ll probably happen in Brazil and probably in a soccer stadium.”

Sonnen (27-11-1 MMA, 6-4 UFC), who dominated Silva (31-4 MMA, 14-0 UFC) for four rounds before a succumbing to a last-round triangle choke at UFC 117 in 2010, meets Munoz on Jan. 28 in Chicago. If victorious, he’ll likely get the Silva fight this summer.

As MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) recently reported, White had considered booking the rematch for the UFC’s annual Super Bowl weekend show in Las Vegas. Instead, Sonnen will be featured on the UFC’s second-ever network-televised event later this month. That could give the already-polarizing fighter even more exposure ahead of what likely will be the UFC’s biggest-money fight of 2012.

In addition to that Brazilian event and upcoming shows in Japan and Sweden, White said the UFC is targeting 2012 events for France, China and South Korea.

Source: MMAJunkie