Minotauro projects retirement for the end of 2015. Photo: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC
Rodrigo Minotauro has experienced the meteoric rise of MMA in recent years up close. An old school athlete, the Bahian began his professional career in 1999, when the sport was still known as vale tudo; then, he shined in Japan, becoming the first PRIDE heavyweight champion, and, years later, he moved to the UFC and experienced the global expansion of the sport firsthand.
Thus, Minotauro can speak with authority about the changes in MMA in the last seven years, the period of existence of the SUPER FIGHTS. In an exclusive interview, the veteran praised the UFC's recent growth and stated that he believes the sport will reach an even greater level, on par with major events such as the Super Bowl, the final of the North American football league.
However, Minotauro highlighted that the UFC still needs to evolve in certain areas, especially regarding the stability of the fighters on its roster. The athlete also commented on his health after knee surgery and highlighted his desire to have two more fights – the last against Frank mir – before hanging up the gloves.
Check out the full interview with Minotauro:
How is the current state of your career? You had knee surgery after your last fight, but have you returned to training yet?
It is undeniable that I am in the final stretch of my career. I'm going to hang up my gloves at the end of 2015. My goal is to have two more fights, one in the middle of next year and another towards the end. I had a really annoying injury, in which I had to redo the ligaments in my right knee. I returned to physical training in October, but I will only be able to return to technical and specific MMA training in January.
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Are there any specific opponents you have your eye on?
I don't have a fighter in mind yet. Everyone knows about my desire to face the Frank mir, but I would like to do a fight before facing him.
As you intend to stop soon, what do you still want for your athletic career?
My goal now is to have good fights and win. I will end my fighting career at the end of 2015.
How do you want to be remembered by future generations?
I can't say how I would like to be remembered, but I want to leave a positive legacy, from which new talents can be inspired.
If you could compare the current moment in MMA with seven years ago, what would you say?
MMA has evolved a lot in the last seven years. Today the sport is much more professional. Seven years ago MMA was still very marginalized, nowadays it is much better accepted by society. Now people recognize MMA as a real sport.
Minotauro (right) and F. Mir (left) in their second meeting, in 2011. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
With the end of PRIDE in 2007, did you ever fear for the continuity of your career? Did you think the UFC wouldn't be able to provide fighters with what you had in Japan?
Every change generates concern, even more so with the end of Pride, an event that always treated all fighters with great affection. But the growth of the UFC ended up being very good for MMA, it raised the level of the sport. put us in mainstream of sports.
Looking at the UFC's trajectory over the last seven years, what do you think they got most right?
Without a doubt, their biggest success was transforming MMA into something profitable. Know how to organize and sell the show.
And what did they go wrong?
I believe they made some mistakes in their treatment of the athletes. The UFC leaves fighters very uncertain about their continuation in the event. But it's normal, everyone ends up looking at their own side.
Alongside his brother Minotouro (right), Minotauro manages a network of gyms across the country. Photo: Disclosure
How do you see MMA in seven years?
I see MMA competing more and more with the big sports in the world. I'm sure that in seven years we will have events the magnitude of the Super Bowl in MMA.
How do you see yourself in seven years?
I see myself working hard, running my business and contributing a lot to the development of sport in Brazil, and especially MMA.
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