Banha against Sokoudjou. Photo: Josh Hedges

Up until his fight with Rogério Minotouro at UFC 106, Luis “Banha” Cane had only ever lost by disqualification. At a new team, after exiting American Top Team, Banha could return to his winning ways this Saturday when he faces Cyrille Diabete at UFC 114 in Las Vegas.

“My life is going good. The new training center (Elite Mixed Fighters) is great and I haven’t had any problems training with guys who used to be my training partners like Marcus Aurélio, André Benkei, Mohamed Duali and Chris Bohn. I feel I’m now better in every aspect,” the fighter told the UFC website.

“I feel this is a great fight for my return. Diabete is considered one of the best strikers in the world and, with my training, I’m sure we’ll have a great fight. I’m working with Antonio “Pezão” Silva and Guto Inocente, who are really tall and replicate the openings and dangers my opponent having greater reach could create for me,” he adds.

On what was practically the first setback in his career, Banha is realistic.

“I’m not here to justify it or make excuses for my loss. I get irritated when I see that kind of stuff. The guy came and beat me, and I’m not going to explain the reasons I lost by saying if I’d done this or that, if I’d trained more standing or on the ground, it would have gone differently. That’s not the kind of guy I am and it wouldn’t be fair. I lost and that’s it,” he says.

“After losing to Minotouro I felt a mixture of disappointment and unhappiness. I don’t know how to describe what I felt, but it was horrible,” he says in finishing.

Check out the card:

UFC 114
Las Vegas, Nevada
Saturday May 29, 2010

Quinton Jackson vs Rashad Evans

Michael Bisping vs Dan Miller

Todd Duffee vs Mike Russow

Antonio Rogerio Nogueira vs Jason Brilz

Diego Sanchez vs John Hathaway

Amir Sadollah vs Dong Hyun Kim

Preliminary card

Efrain Escudero vs Dan Lauzon

Melvin Guillard vs Waylon Lowe

Luis Cane vs Cyrille Diabate

Aaron Riley vs Joe Brammer

Jesse Forbes vs Ryan Jensen

How is the ankle?

I’m not training, I have to stop for almost a month. I should start training again in January. I’ll do some exams to see how I am and should return to physiotherapy this Monday. I was already doing physio in the United States, but they asked me to hold off for a while. I really did need to take a break, as it was really swollen.

Your manager, Ed Soares, stated that you may fight at the UFC event scheduled for end of March…

I’ll be fine by then. I think March would be a great time to return.

Minotouro used his boxing to beat Cane. Photo: Josh Hedges

How did you feel about finally debuting in the UFC? What did it feel like?

I’m still a bit nervous. I had a lot of apprehensions. But the guys there treated me really well, made me feel at home. I felt good energy coming from the folks who work at the event. They are concerned with the athletes and their behavior. I liked being there. Perhaps for it being my first fight, I felt a lot of pressure to win. But, for the energy at the event, I managed to fight well.

In your fight with Banha, do you feel your experience counted a lot?

It counted a lot. But Banha is a tough fighter and has a lot of experience, too. He has been fighting a lot at the UFC. What counted was the distance. I was able to find my range better than him and that’s what counted. I noticed when the punch landed and realized I had the chance to define the fight. Banha is tough and, if we should face each other again, I’ll respect him a lot. For sure he’ll be dangerous against anyone in the division. He’ll easily get back on his feet.

Would you like to send a message to GRACIEMAG.com readers?

I wish everyone great health in the New Year. May 2010 be a year of many personal and professional conquests. Always think positive; that’s the great secret to life. I thank everyone who cheered for me this year, who have cheered for me during my career and who liked that I entered the UFC. Best wishes!