Issue 176

March 2019

The Brazilian legend on his move to Bellator and the chance to make history.

You are getting a fresh start in a new home with Bellator. What are your thoughts and emotions leading up to your Bellator debut?

I am so excited, man. I can’t wait to get into the cage, especially for Bellator. I had the chance to choose this. I chose to be here. I am so excited and I can’t wait to put on an outstanding performance.

You are such a huge name and iconic figure in the sport of MMA. Do you feel like future opponents will be looking to make a name off yours?

I don’t care about that. All I care about is what I have to do to get myself ready for a fight. I have more experience and more fights under my belt. I can take a fight wherever I want it to go.

Many fighters that have left the UFC for Bellator speak of the change in atmosphere, communication and just general care and concern for the fighters. What has been your experience so far?

It’s amazing. It’s amazing. We can talk directly to Scott Coker and Mike Kogan and people like that who are in control of the event. The relationship means everything. The UFC was good for a while. I am so grateful for everything the UFC did for me and I was happy with everything I could do for them but you get to a point in your career where the relationship means a lot. For me, Bellator is everything now.

In the Bellator Middleweight title landscape Gegard Mousasi sits atop the division. Can I assume you are looking for the fastest path to the title and capturing that gold?

Of course, man. I am not playing around. I am taking this very seriously. I already got the belt from the UFC, now its time to get the belt from Bellator.

What would it mean to capture both the UFC and Bellator world titles?

It would be a great accomplishment. As soon as I get this belt I believe I will be the first fighter to have belts in both Bellator and the UFC. It means a lot to me.