Pezão celebrates his first fight at home: 'You can't help but come in motivated'

A. Silva (photo) will face Arlovski in Brasília. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC

About to have his first fight in Brazil in his long MMA career, Antonio Pezão He doesn't hide his motivation. The Paraíba native will face Andrei Arlovski in the main attraction of UFC Fight Night 51, which will be held on September 13th in Brasília (DF), and highlighted the support that the fans who will be present at the Nilson Nelson gym should receive.

“I'm very happy to be able to fight in Brazil. I've been booed so many times out there, now I want to have the taste of having an entire gym next to me. You can’t help but be motivated like that,” said the Brazilian, at a press conference.

Pezão, who has faced Arlovski in the past, defeating the Belarusian in the judges' decision, highlighted his rival's resume. “I asked a lot for this fight, and the UFC quickly confirmed it. Arlovski was an Ultimate champion, and that will always accredit him as a strong opponent,” he commented.

Arlovski, in turn, said he was prepared to face Pezão and the fans in Brasília. “I'm going to be booed a lot by the crowd, but if there's just one person rooting for me, I'll fight for them,” he joked. “Pezão is very strong and aggressive, and once again he will be a great opponent. I'm not looking for reasons for the defeat I suffered against him, but we've been much better since then. I have to pay close attention because it’s a risky fight,” he said.

Fighters condemn fight between Jones and Cormier

Pezão and Arlovski, who featured moments of peace during the press conference, condemned the fight between Jon Jones e Daniel Cormier this Monday (4). The two heavyweights recognize that, despite the moment being surrounded by tension, the Americans exaggerated their attitudes.

“It’s complicated, they are two warm-blooded human beings. There may have been behind-the-scenes talk, we cannot judge. In my view of the alistair overeem, I held back. My wife asked me not to do anything because she knows that I don't take offense home. MMA is not fighting, there are a lot of kids who follow it. They went beyond the point”, assessed Pezão.

Arlovski, Jones' training partner at Greg Jackson's gym, believes that Cormier was responsible for starting the fight. “I'm against this kind of thing. Fighters have to promote fights, but Cormier pushed first. But if it were Jon Jones, would also have reacted. There’s not much to predict when you’re attacked,” she opined.