Minotouro. Photo: Carlos Ozório
Rogerio Minotouro has a meeting with Forrest Griffin at UFC 114, which takes place May 29 in Las Vegas. Coming off an impressive knockout win over Luis Banha, Minotouro is well placed in the organization and a win against Griffin could put him at the head of the line for a light heavyweight title challenge. Check out the conversation GRACIEMAG.com had with the fighter:
How are your preparations for this challenge going?
Been training hard. We’re starting to get into the MMA-specific part. Before I was doing Jiu-Jitsu and boxing separately and now I’m doing everything together. In weight training I’m working on explosiveness now, which has more to do with the actual fight.
What is most dangerous about Forrest?
Everything. He’s well-rounded, good on the ground, good on his feet. He has a good combination of punches and kicks, is truly a complete fighter. I have to be well prepared and not mess up. To beat him I’ll have to be 100%.
Anderson can provide good tips on how to beat Forrest. Photo: Josh Hedges
Anderson Silva recently faced him. Has the Spider been helping you?
For sure. We’re training a lot and he’s helping me. Anderson is the guy who can help me best, having already fought Forrest and studied his game. He’s helping me a lot.
Will you carry on training in Brazil or will you go to the U.S.?
I’ll be here training and will only go to the United States 15 days before the fight for the final-adjustment phase. I’ll do my main training here at our training center.
Your daughter, Valentina, was born recently. Does that help or throw you a bit off focus in training?
It’s fine. Everything is separate; there’s work and personal life. I’m training as I always have and am perhaps even more motivated, since I have more responsibility.
Today you use a lot of boxing, but your roots are in fighting on the ground. What in Jiu-Jitsu can you not use in MMA?
The spider-guard. How do I get my foot on the biceps? My opponent would blow me out of the water!
Check out the card as it stands:
UFC 114
Las Vegas, United States
May 29, 2010
Rashad Evans vs Quinton “Rampage” Jackson
Forrest Griffin vs Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
Todd Duffee vs Mike Russow
John Hathaway vs Diego Sanchez
Dong Hyun Kim vs Amir Sadollah
Chris Leben vs Aaron Simpson
Melvin Guillard vs Thiago Tavares
Efrain Escudero vs Dan Lauzon
Luis Cane vs Cyrille Diabate
Jesse Forbes vs Ryan Jensen