A. Shoe Face (left) and B. Tavares (right) face each other in the UFC 257. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Antonio Shoe Guy returns to the octagon after a year and four months, to face Brad Tavares on the preliminary card of UFC 257, which takes place next Saturday (23), on 'Ilha da Luta', in Abu Dhabi. The Brazilian can return to the middleweight rankings (up to 83,9kg) with victory. In an exclusive interview with SUPER LUTAS, he revealed that the period of inactivity contributed to his physical and mental recovery and says that versatility will be a differentiator in beating his rival.
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“Another good thing (from the training) was also starting to mix the (martial) arts even more. Sometimes I felt like I ended up isolating too much. Either I would just change it, or I would just try to put it down. I ended up limiting myself. When we mix it up a little, it makes people doubt what we're going to do, it helps a lot. I used this in The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) and got two knockouts in the house. This was a very important key in my training too”, said the Brazilian.
Shoe Face needs recovery in the octagon. The Brazilian, who has a record of 10 wins and four defeats, comes from two setbacks in a series, the last being for Uriah Hall in the split decision of the judges, in the UFC Vancouver, in September 2019. This weekend, the Brazilian will face the North American Brad Tavares, which comes from two negative results in Ultimate – against Israel adesanya e Edmen shahbazyan.
Read the full interview with Cara de Sapato
SL: You haven't fought since September 2019 and had knee surgery. Despite this, what were you able to benefit from during the time you were away? Do you feel that, even though there was a period of inactivity, time with your family helped you become stronger as a fighter?
CDS: That was exactly it. The time I spent there (in Brazil) was one of physical and emotional recovery. So even in inactivity, it wasn't unproductive. I needed this, to relax with family and friends. Everyone was in quarantine, I was locked at home after the surgery. It really did me a lot of good and now (I'm) happy to be returning at the beginning of the year, for the super event that will be held. I'm happy and ready, both physically and mentally.
SL: What was it like for you to receive an invitation to fight at UFC 257, which promises to be one of the biggest events of the year?
CDS: I was super happy. Firstly for fighting at the beginning of the year, even more so at this event. It was something that left me satisfied and excited. I think a lot of things are happening and giving me even more energy and desire to bring this victory to Brazil.
SL: You will participate in a show that will be headlined by Conor McGregor. Can you feel something different? Does anything change in terms of visibility for you?
CDS: For sure. (Conor) McGregor is a guy who sells a lot. When it comes to numbers, he has nothing to say. So, whether he likes it or not, he will have a lot of visibility at this event. This is good for everyone, right? I believe there will be a lot of people watching and I hope for a lot of positive energy so that we can leave with our arms raised and full of energy.
SL: You will have your first fight during the pandemic. Did your friends and/or teammates give you any tips? And what did you feel while watching a fight on television?
CDS: When I watched it on TV, (I had) the desire to fight. But as I said, it was time I needed to recover emotionally. And I haven't actually spoken to anyone about this issue yet. We don't talk much about it, but I'm a little used to it having fought on 'The Ultimate Fighter' (TUF), which was more or less like that. The good thing was that you could hear the coaches well, but there was no emotion. Even though it won't be a big crowd, we will already be able to hear some screams and there will be that UFC excitement.
SL: At the end of last year, Brad Tavares accused you of putting a spy in his training. How was this story? Were you amused or angry about the situation?
CDS: Neither anger nor grace. I found it strange that he said that I called someone to ask about training. I want to get the information, without a shadow of a doubt, but it wasn't like this. I think it was just watching his fights, studying with my coaches, seeing his strengths and weaknesses and where we can use them to our advantage. If I were in a position to get other information, I certainly would. I want to get as much as possible to use. That story was irrelevant, actually.
SL: So, still talking about Brad Tavares, how was your preparation to face him?
CDS: The training was very good. I focused on what I needed and some things we needed to adjust. There was also (Marcus) Buchecha going to American Top Team (ATT) in Florida, to adjust the ground work and some details that we end up losing with our time in MMA. Since he was there, he helped me a lot to point out this refinement and identify the things that made a big difference there.
SL: How do you imagine the ideal ending of your fight?
CDS: The ideal scenario is always finishing. But I believe I can knock him out, just like I did in TUF too. I believe in my striking and my boxing. But jiu-jitsu is my flagship, where I like to work and, when I take the fight to the ground, I feel like I will have much greater superiority.
SL: You are coming off two consecutive defeats, which is unprecedented in your career, to Ian Heinisch and Uriah Hall. Speaking specifically about the second one (he occupies ninth place in the rankings), do you have any desire to do a rematch in the future?
CDS: I consider that I won that fight (against Uriah Hall). You see I was surprised that they gave him the victory and even he was surprised that he won. (…) It’s not something I keep in mind (feeling of revenge), but if it happens, that’s fine. He is well placed in the ranking and it is something that could make sense. But now I'm focused on Brad Tavares, which was already eighth and still remains in the ranking.
SL: In case of victory, you already enter the Top-15. Do you have an opponent in mind? Which fight would be ideal for your fit?
CDS: I don't have anyone in mind. For now, I'm just thinking about the fight against the Brad Tavares. I wasn't thinking about a hypothetical future, no. And then, after that, we started thinking about the next plans. We have to go one step at a time and climb our way little by little.
Professional in MMA since 2013, Shoe Face also spoke exclusively to SUPER LUTAS YouTube channel. To check out the interview, just click on the link below.
UFC 257 fight list
MAIN CARD (0pm Brasília time):
Lightweight: Dustin poirier x Conor McGregor
Lightweight: Dan Hooker x Michael chandler
Flyweight: Jessica Eye x Joanne calderwood
Lightweight: Matt frevola x Ottman azaitar
Strawweight: Marina Rodriguez x Amanda ribas
PRELIMINARY CARD (20:15 p.m. Brasília time):
Lightweight: Arman Tsarukyan x Nasrat Haqparast
Average weight: Brad Tavares x Antonio Shoe Guy
Bantamweight: Julianna Pena x Sara McMann
Light heavyweight: Khalil Rountree Jr. x Marcin Prachnio
Average weight: Andrew Sanchez x Makhmud Muradov
Feather weight: Nik lentz x Movsar Evloev
Flyweight: amir albazi x Zhalgas Zhumagulov
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