Tanquinho is coming off a UFC victory (Photo: Getty Images)
At 33 years old, Augusto Tanquinho is at the beginning of his career in the UFC, but that doesn't stop the jiu-jitsu world champion from dreaming big. After achieving his first victory in the organization, beating Frankie Saenz at UFC Phoenix last Sunday (15), the bantamweight already wants a place in the Fortaleza event, on March 11, and then wants to perform one of his biggest dreams: fight in Rio de Janeiro, his hometown.
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“You can say that I want a spot at UFC Fortaleza and then I want to fight in Rio. It will be difficult to train, but it is a more than worth sacrifice, it will be a dream come true”, commented Tanquinho to SUPER LUTAS.
Still in his infancy in the bantamweight category, the Brazilian is thinking about establishing himself among the top 15 in the division in 2017. To do so, he is asking for a ranked opponent in his next fight.
“I really want to fight someone ranked. Then, depending on how I win, on his position in the ranking, I could even be among the 15 after this victory”, he pondered.
READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
SUPER FIGHTS: The bantamweight division is one of the most competitive at the moment. How do you fit into it and what are your short-term goals?
Augusto Tanquinho: I believe I'm still starting to appear in the division. The UFC Phoenix fight was only my second in the UFC, but I know I can go very far. I'm feeling healthy, I haven't had any injuries so my goal now is to fight as quickly as possible. Get back inside as soon as possible.
SL: Do you already have plans to return to the Octagon? Do you want to fight in an event in Brazil?
AT: Wow, I would really like to fight in Fortaleza. I could put myself there now. You can say that I want a spot at UFC Fortaleza and then fight in Rio. It will be tight to train, but it is a more than worth sacrifice, it will be a dream come true. If not, I want to fight in March and April and then in June or July.
SL: Do you have any names in mind to challenge, any ranked opponents?
AT: I don't choose a lot of opponents, but I really want to fight someone ranked. Then, depending on how I win, his position in the rankings, I could even be among the 15 after this victory.
SL: Who do you believe can emerge in the bantamweight division this year?
AT: Look, honestly I think that for next year, the title will stay at the top. It's going to be that monopoly between Garbrandt, Cruz and Dillashaw. I don't see that changing anytime soon until the guys in the second platoon have a chance to beat one of these guys.
Tanquinho trusts training with B. Henderson at MMA Lab (PHOTO: Reproduction)
SL: You come from jiu-jitsu, but you showed good progress on your feet in the last fight (you shook Saenz twice). Taking this hook, tell us a little about what training is like at MMA Lab? Are you putting more emphasis on striking? Is there any other area of your game that you believe needs to improve further?
AT: In truth? I'm at a gym that allows me to train a lot. Seriously, we don't focus on any specific area. There are days that focus on striking, others on takedowns, and there are days for jiu-jitsu. I still train at my pure jiu-jitsu gym so I don't waste time on positions and because I want to maintain my level of competition for jiu-jitsu.
SL: Is your jiu-jitsu career on a permanent break or do you plan on returning to the Gentle Art one day?
AT: I really want to compete this year. We have several good championships. I would like to fight in Abu Dhabi, the World Cup and the ADCC. But, of course, it depends on the UFC. If I'm offered good fights close to these events, I'll prioritize my MMA career. I want to fight in March or April and then June or July too for that reason. Give MMA a boost in the first half of the year and then compete a lot in jiu-jitsu in the second half of the year.
SL: What is your analysis of the cody garbrandt? You guys played each other early last year and how do you see his game compared to the rest of the division?
AT: Cody is a very tough guy. As long as people play along with him, he will always win. He is patient, plays on the counterattack, has a heavy hand and believes in himself a lot. He can't go all in with everything against him. I think we can beat him, yes, he has to play the right game, he can't slack off for a second. And he can't enter his stack either, right...
SL: Who do you think can take the crown from Garbrandt?
AT: O TJ Dillashaw has everything to win against him. They trained together a lot, so TJ has a better view of Cody than anyone in the division. He knows the strengths and weaknesses, but he will have to be perfect. Another guy who could beat him is (Bryan) Caraway, who has a very strong cage game. O Raphael Assunção it could also surprise you.
SEE PHOTOS FROM TANQUINHO’S CAREER:
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