Vitor Miranda (grey shirt) is helping Bigfoot in his preparations (publicity photo).
Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva is ironing out some final details before his Feb. 2 encounter with Alistair Overeem in Las Vegas at UFC 156.
To be prepared for the Dutchman, known for his superlative standup game, the Brazilian called on Vitor Miranda, a Thai boxing-specialist friend of his, to take part in his training camp in the U.S.
The winner of three K-1 events, Miranda spent three weeks in late 2012 and early 2013 helping hone the giant Brazilian’s striking. The two relived the days they spent together training at Blackzilians and even living under the same roof. Besides his friend, Bigfoot also had the help of Pedro Rizzo, a former UFC heavyweight and one of the foremost Thai boxing instructors in world MMA.
“It was a great pleasure to spend those three weeks there,” Miranda said. “I was very well taken care of. Bigfoot’s a friend of mine. We always hang out whenever possible. I guarantee he’s doing a great job training and has great backup in getting ready for the biggest fight of his career. Katel Kubis [the head coach for the training camp] knows Overeem’s game really well and is devising a great strategy.”
Miranda, who has already begun shooting the second season of The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 2 as one of Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira’s assistant coaches, was praiseful of the improvement Bigfoot has seen in his standup over the last few months.
“He’s been showing great progress in the standup department, and proof of it is in his victory over Travis Browne,” he said. “The week he stopped by Team Nogueira in Rio de Janeiro he showed that he’s really confident in his striking. I think Overeem’s going to suffer in this fight. Bigfoot’s really focused.”
UFC 156
Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, Nevada
2 de fevereiro de 2013
- José Aldo vs Frankie Edgar
- Rashad Evans vs Rogério Minotouro
- Alistair Overeem vs Antônio Pezão
- Jon Fitch vs Demian Maia
- Joseph Benavidez vs Ian McCall
- Gleison Tibau vs Evan Dunham
- Tyron Woodley vs Jay Hieron
- Jacob Volkmann vs Bobby Green
- Yves Edwards vs Isaac Vallie-Flagg
- Chico Camus vs Dustin Kimura
- Edwin Figueroa vs Francisco Rivera
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