Alan Belcher and his recipe for beating Toquinho in the UFC

Davi Ramos, Daniel Moraes, Belcher and Dean Lister / Photo: GRACIEMAG.com archives

Alan Belcher is one of the big names in the UFC middleweight division, and to get his shot at the divisional belt, now in Anderson Silva’s possession, the American needs to first get past Rousimar “Toquinho.” The showdown is set to take place May 5 at the UFC on Fox 3 show in New Jersey, and GRACIEMAG.com has been following his preparations in Mississippi.

Coached by Daniel Moraes, a two-time world championship-winning black belt (2003/04), and the no less burly Davi Ramos and Dean Lister, Belcher is confident, in the wake of the tsunami that ravaged his life.

“Over the last two years I only had two fights, because I got injured and I took a long time to heal. I wasn’t sure if I’d ever be able to fight again, and during that time my wife got pregnant. As soon as I had a fight my son was born,” he recounted, before addressing his strategy for avoiding his Brazilian opponent’s vaunted finishing holds.

“All the guys who have lost to Paul Harris [another of Toquinho’s nickname] let themselves get into that situation. So I’ll try not to end up in those leglock situations. … I’ll try not to go to the ground with him,” Belcher stated.

Check out the complete interview, and comment below: Is Belcher capable of keeping the brawny Palhares from taking him to the ground?