Professor Augusto Tanquinho helped train Ben Henderson on the ground. Personal archive photo.

MMA has reached a level where no fighter, let alone a UFC champion, can afford not to practice Jiu-Jitsu.

This Saturday at UFC on Fox 5 in Seattle, Wash., lightweight champion Ben Henderson will have his work cut out for him in defending his title from the Cesar Gracie-trained Nate Diaz. Naturally, he’s been sharpening up his ground game for the fight.

At the MMA Lab in Arizona, Ben Henderson trained with Augusto “Tanquinho” Mendes, a current No-Gi world champion, to help him put the finishing touches on his grappling. In the following conversation with GRACIEMAG.com, the Brazilian comments on how training with the UFC star went and other matters.

GRACIEMAG: How has training with Ben Henderson been going? Is the brown belt’s Jiu-Jitsu up to speed?

AUGUSTO TANQUINHO: Training went great. Ben’s got a really good ground game. He’s fully prepared to fight Nate on there, if that’s where it goes. But he also practices a lot of wrestling. His takedown defense and submissions are all up to speed, so he can take the fight wherever he wants it. If the opportunity arises, I think he’s got a good chance of subbing Nate. Ben’s really well trained in all areas of MMA, so it’s going to be a heck of a fight!

And so are you back in your gi and targeting the January Copa Pódio event?

Yes, I’m feeling great about it. I’m training here in Arizona at [Wellington] Megaton’s academy with Mackenzie and the rest of the crew. Everyone has the same objective, and everyone’s ready to help out everyone else. I’ve got plenty of training partners. I’m still going to go to Brazil for the final stretch to work with my team Soul Fighters and João Gabriel, who’s also in the Copa Pódio lineup.

You’ll be taking on Davi Ramos in a double supermatch, and he’s someone you’re quite familiar with, as you’ve faced each other before.

Davi’s a really dangerous guy, really well-rounded and strong. I believe this is going to be a war, especially since it’s a six-minute match. He’s a good friend, a humble guy, and is looking to carve out a place for himself just as I am. We’re going to fight and put on a show, and then after that we’ll sit back and wait for our girlfriends, who will determine the overall outcome of the “couples fight”. Regardless of who wins, things will be just the same as they were before: respectful and as good friends.

What are your plans for 2013?

I’d really like to compete at the European Championship,  in Lisbon. I need sponsorship, but I’m working on it. I want to be at all the big championships in 2013. I’m also hoping to get called up for the 2013 ADCC; I want to be at that event, too. There’s still a long ways to go, though.

Fernando Tererê celebrates victory. Photo by Jair Lacerda.

A Jiu-Jitsu hero who lost his way some years back, Fernando Augusto “Tererê” made his return to Brazil’s mats after a long layoff when he took on Barbosa Jiu-Jitsu rep Guilherme Carturam in a supermatch at Campeonato Nacional in São Paulo. There, Fernando rediscovered his winning ways in his classic style: hook-sweeping and finishing up with a choke.

In the following conversation with GRACIEMAG.com, Tererê addresses his match against Guilherme, how he came up with the submission, training with Fabio Gurgel, as well as the IBJJF European Championship in Lisbon, Portugal, where he says he will be taking to the mats in competition.

GRACIEMAG? How did the supermatch with Guilherme Carturam go?

FERNANDO TERERÊ: It was a tough one. I’m facing more and more different opponents. That’s a good thing, since I’m getting to test myself. I still respect all my opponents just like I just to; I’m just not fearing any of them.

You managed to win by choke. How did you make it to his back?

Right when the match started I managed to hook sweep him, and right after that I landed in his half-guard. At that moment, I started attacking with a choke from half-guard. With the pressure from the hold, he defended by turning his back to me. So I took his back and finished with a lapel choke. I’d been working on submission adjustments with Victor Genovesi and Elan Santiago so as not to miss any opportunities.

You spent a week training at Alliance São Paulo. How did that go?

It’s always great to catch up with Fabio Gurgel, especially when he takes you aside and puts you through the wringer. I always learn things when I’m around him. Fabio has a lot of wisdom to pass on to those who he likes, and I’m so glad to be one of them.

You’re returning to serious training with the team. How do you see your evolution coming?

I’m managing to evolve thanks to the people I have around me. My family, my trainers, training partners, my sponsor Casca-grossa Fightwear. I’m training really hard, three times a day. I want to be better than I was before–not just at Jiu-Jitsu, but as a person too.

You’ve said you’re going to compete in the adult division at the January 2013 European Open. How are your plans coming along?

Everything’s going great. I’m dedicated to competing in the adult age group, not to belittle the people my age. I spent a long time at the top of the middleweight division; I know there are a lot of great athletes at that weight but I’m fully dedicated to winning gold against them. Who know?