Still serving suspension, Pezão plans to return to the UFC in September

Pezão (photo) hopes to return to the UFC in September. Photo: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/

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Without fighting since the end of last year, Antonio Pezão He's already thinking about his return to the UFC. The Paraíba native, who is suspended after being caught in an anti-doping test in his last fight, hopes to have his next fight in September, precisely when he will be cleared to return to the octagon.

In December, Pezão fought a historic fight against Mark Hunt in Brisbane, Australia. After five rounds of intense competition, with standout moments for both fighters, the fight was declared a draw by the judges' decision. However, the Brazilian, a supporter of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) at the time, had a high level of the hormone in his body, which earned him a nine-month suspension.

Remember the case:

Pezão is caught in an anti-doping test after an epic fight against Mark Hunt
Pezão blames doctor for doping: 'I only did what was recommended'
Tannure refutes Pezão's accusations: 'I am not and have never been his doctor'
Dana White reveals that Hunt defended Pezão after doping episode

In a telephone conversation with the reporter from SUPER FIGHTS, Pezão detailed his recovery progress after his recent shoulder surgery, reflected his period away from fighting and commented on the future duel between Fabricio Werdum e Cain Velazquez by the belt. Check out:

You are currently still serving your suspension and will not be able to fight for the next few months. How is your routine?

My routine is focused on recovering my shoulder, since I had surgery at the end of January. I'm focused on this so I can get back to 100%, so I'm still not able to do stronger wrestling or jiu-jitsu training. But what I can do, I'm doing. I've been working a lot on the cardiovascular aspect with my physical trainer, but my focus is almost entirely on recovering my shoulder.

Were you going to have this surgery anyway or did you take advantage of the suspension to do it?

It was something I had to do, because it had been bothering me a lot since before the fight with the Mark Hunt. But, after everything that happened, I took advantage of the moment and went ahead with the surgery straight away, as I knew I would be out of action for nine months.

What is it like to deal psychologically with being suspended? Does it give you that “itch” to get back to fighting soon?

I always feel this desire to go back. I love what I do, I love fighting, I get enormous pleasure from entering the octagon and doing what I love most. I've been into martial arts since I was four years old, I was born for it. It's difficult especially when you are penalized for a mistake that wasn't yours. It's very sad to put your head on the pillow knowing that you have to put aside what you love most for something that wasn't your fault. But nothing in life is by chance and I had to go through it. I learned to accept more and, God willing, I will come back with everything.

Pezão defeated Overeem in 2013. Photo: Disclosure/UFC

Is there already any talk about your return with the UFC?

Five months is still a long time for the UFC to offer an opponent. A lot can still happen, the heavyweight category can still move a lot during this time. I believe that [the UFC will offer a fight] in about three months.

And is there a specific opponent you have your eye on?

What I want is to fight with the best. It's what I always wanted, to be close to the top. There are several athletes I could fight, but I don't have a preference. I'm motivated by challenges and I have to be trained, focused, to be able to put up a good fight in September.

His next fight will be his first since TRT was banned from the sport. You used TRT in your last fight. What do you expect your income to be like from now on?

In fact, I have always struggled without therapy. The first time I tried was now, but what happened happened. But in my previous fights, against Overeem, against Fedor, Arlovski, Velasquez, Travis Browne, all fights I was without TRT. But of course I always have to improve [physically]. I'm not 20 years old anymore, I'm 34. It was a medical necessity, I needed the replacement, and that's why I made the request in my last fight. Unfortunately, that's what happened, but if it was banned, I'll keep fighting and do what I like.

Fight between Hunt and Pezão ended in a draw. Photo: Disclosure/UFC

It's been a few months since your fight against Hunt. After the excitement for the fight has passed, what analysis do you make?

The fight went how I wanted. I don't think I would change anything, because there was also a lot of merit from Hunt. I tried to put it down, but I couldn't. From the moment I saw that I was having this difficulty, I decided to bite the protector and fall inside. I like tough, fierce fights that lift the public. Many people commented afterwards that it was a struggle, because we tried to end the fight even when there were a few seconds left. O Mark Hunt He's a great fighter, he has a very tough chin, he's a K1 legend. I wouldn't change anything, everything was perfect within what I managed to do.

Last Saturday (19), Werdum beat Travis Browne and won the right to fight for the belt with Velasquez. You've already faced both Velasquez and Werdum, so what can you expect?

It's difficult to predict. I've already had the opportunity to fight with both athletes and I believe it will be a very difficult fight for both of them. Werdum is improving every day – he is not just a ground athlete, he is a complete athlete, with better striking with each passing day. There's nothing to say about the ground: it's the best ground in MMA. Everyone saw him taking down Travis Browne, who had 100% success rate in takedown defense. But, it's that thing. Velasquez is quite dangerous. He's not that good on the ground, but he controls it well. I'll be rooting for the Brazilian, but it won't be an easy fight.