Commander of Brazilian Top Team (BTT), Murilo Bustamante is already getting used to life in the United States. In California, the black belt has been working on expanding the team in two academies, one of which promises to be the biggest martial arts academy in the world. Check out the conversation Portal das Lutas, GRACIEMAG.com partner website, had with the seasoned veteran.
Portal das Lutas – How’s everything going in the United States?
Murilo Bustamante – Life here’s really great and I’m already training in two academies. I’m divulging the BTT’s teaching system, both for Jiu-Jitsu and for MMA, at Bodies and Motion, in Los Angeles, and at No Limits. They are BTT affiliates and I’ll be showing our work here.
PDL – But are the academies really BTT affiliates? What’s this project like?
MB – I have a partnership with No Limits, which will launch the coming 6th, in Irvine, an academy of over six thousand square meters. It will be the biggest martial arts academy in the world, with three official boxing rings, an octagon, mats, shops, weight lifting, sauna… It’s out of this world, it has everything. I’ll show you if you come here. It will be a complete training facility where we’ll hold camps for professional fighters.
PDL – Is the fact you’re in the United States also a strategy for you to return tofighting?
MB – Truth is I’m not yet thinking about fighting. My head’s on my project, which is to get in tune with life here. I’m setting up an apartment, changing my routine and it’s been great. After July, when everything’s in place, I’ll start looking for a fight, because I want to fight more. I’ll put my old bones on the line for a while yet. I want to have some fun and not just watch my fighters having fun.
PDL – Will the academies there also serve as headquarters for the other BTT athletes in Brazil?
MB – For sure. This is an entryway for BTT athletes and my coming here is meant to help open the way for them too. That’s my plan, but I could only do that after establishing the team in Brazil.
PDL – And how is BTT in Brazil going after your departure for the United States?
MB – I really felt the gym was going along on its own and that Eraldo (Paes) and (Sergio) Babu were ready to assume the responsibility for BTT in Brazil. Thank God I have trustworthy and capable people to do such a great job as they are doing. Now we need to move forth with the project of expanding BTT.
