S. Moraes will fight in UFC Sao Paulo. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook @UFC
The Brazilian Serginho Moraes he is definitely not going through the best phase of his Ultimate career. Hired by the company in 2012, the athlete, who is considered one of the most charismatic athletes by the Tupiniquim public, today suffers two consecutive defeats. To reverse the situation, the fighter, who had taken a risk in the stand-up fight and moved away from his specialty, jiu-jitsu, stated that he will return to his roots this Saturday (16), when he faces James Krause in the UFC Sao Paulo. The statement was made in an interview with 'Combate'.
“I became more focused. I gave jiu-jitsu and wrestling a priority. I hadn't been doing jiu-jitsu in my fights. I was becoming a changer. I touched my conscience, that thing about going back to the origins.
Serginho said that he tried to change his style, moving towards a more aggressive characteristic, due to a need to prove himself as an athlete. The fighter gave examples of when he started in the 'gentle art', for example.
“We start training in other sports and want to show results. When I started jiu-jitsu, I went to the championships to show that I was capable. You want to change to show that you are capable, but it is time to play with intelligence”, said the São Paulo native.
Upon returning to his comfort zone, Moraes said he was influenced by a great Brazilian athlete. The welterweight stated that he modeled himself on Demian Maia, who recently beat Ben Askren, proving his quality in fighting on the ground.
“We will try to copy (Demian) a little. Who doesn't Demian inspire in jiu-jitsu? He does very pure jiu-jitsu, he is one of the greatest representatives of jiu-jitsu within MMA. He is a reference to show the way,” he said.
Against James, Serginho guaranteed that he will strictly follow the strategy outlined by his team. The fighter revealed that in previous fights he failed to rely on confidence and ended up beaten by his rivals.
“Every fight, they say I have to take it to the ground. I'm being stubborn and standing up. He is an opponent who is confident, after five victories, I have to break that confidence. The good thing is that when a person feels confident, they come to the game. I've been on the other side and I know what it was like; in my beginning in the UFC with a good sequence of victories, even changing. Sometimes confidence is good, but sometimes it ruins it”, concluded the São Paulo native.
This Saturday, Moraes will fight his 14th fight for the UFC. In all his appearances for the organization, the Brazilian won on eight occasions, losing on four and drawing once.
Serginho's opponent, Krause arrives in Brazil to defend an unbeaten record that has already lasted five fights. The athlete has not lost since February 2015, almost five years ago.
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