After the success of X-Combat Ultra MMA, the city of Campos dos Goytacazes, in the interior of Rio de Janeiro, surrendered to MMA. This week, World Fight was opened, the first store specializing in fights in the region. At the launch cocktail, beasts like Paulo Filho, Leo Santos and Rodrigo Riscado were notable presences. In addition to the beasts, the UFC featherweight champion, Jose aldo, gave an afternoon of photos and autographs for fans of the city in the interior of Rio. Always showing humility, charisma and good humor, which he always carries, the owner of the Ultimate 66 kg title gave an interview to collaborator Pedro Nagib, which you can see below:
With less than 20 days to go until UFC Rio, Nova União put two athletes into the event at the last minute, Luis Beição and Johnny Eduardo, how is the preparation of the beasts going?
The preparation is great, they had already been training, as they had a fight scheduled at Shooto. Then their opportunity to fight came up, so it's great, they're well trained, their minds are good, which is the most important thing, and just wait until the day they put on a good performance.
And his vision, as ambassador of the sport, UFC Rio…
UFC Rio is a success, you can immediately see this in ticket sales, in half an hour they were all sold out, the reception for UFC in Rio has been great, everyone approved the idea, the media, which is the most important thing, is liking the idea. It will definitely be a great event.
Kind of obvious question, but would you like to fight at UFC Rio?
I think not only me, but all Brazilians would like it. Everyone who dreams of becoming a fighter would like to be on this card, it's part of it, but leave it for the next time.
Talking about Kenny Florian, his opponent at UFC 136, what can we expect from José Aldo?
You can always wait for that one José Aldo aggressive, always looking for a fight. The next opponent is Kenny and we're going to go after him, train, do hard work, good strategy, and let's finish our work.
On the same day it will happen Frankie Edgar against Gray Maynard, is the winner within your expectations?
This doesn't depend on me, it's up to Ed (Soares), Joinha and Dedé who are my managers, and my coach who resolve this side. My thing is to train, get there and fight.
After this WEC X UFC merger, there will be a tough crowd that will drop in weight behind you...
I think this is part of it, not only in my category that this exists, we are there to fight, everyone defends their own and so it is part of it...
Who do you think is number two in the featherweight category? Marlon (Sandro)?
Of course, I always thought so. I will put everyone on my team in any category as the best.
And about that beast there, Leo Santos, when will we see him in the most famous octagon in the world?
Well, Leo is scheduled to fight now at BAMMA, worth the title and I think that's it, opportunity now at hand, get there and win that title and we'll certainly see Leo in the UFC soonest.
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