Davi Ramos (middle), with Ramos Lemos and Rodrigo Minotauro / Personal archive photo

On November 10, Jiu-Jitsu champion Davi Ramos will be having his second venture into MMA, when he takes on Cesar Filho at Max Sports, at the gymnasium of São Paulo-based professional soccer club Corinthians. The Rio de Janeiro-born black belt did his entire training camp at the Corinthians facilities alongside a number of fight stars.

Now, on January 13 Davi will be back in his traditional attire for Copa Pódio. In this exclusive GRACIEMAG.com interview, Davi comments on his training with Luiz Dórea, discusses his opponent, what he learned from Junior Cigano and Rodrigo Minotauro, and much more.

GRACIEMAG: What did you learn from your time training at Corinthians?

DAVI RAMOS: I learned a lot from Coach [Luiz] Dórea’s team. The whole team is here at the gym, and training has been marvelous. We’ve done a well-rounded job of training both standing and on the ground, with Professor Ramon Lemos. When I’m in Rio the one who heads my training is Professor Cezar Casquinha. My expectations for this MMA fight are the best as can be.

With whom have you been training?

I train with all the athletes at Corinthians Training Center. I do my grappling with Ary Farias, Alexandre Capitão, Denílson Bischiliari, Ronaldinho Cândido and Alan. I practice striking with Roberto Facada, Dedé, Cangur, Edson plus Dórea’s team. So I’m learning more and more with every day. There’s a gang from the UFC here too, like Ronny Marques, Ednaldo Lula, Hugo Wolverine and Junior Cigano. I’ve been learning a lot.

How did your visit to Rodrigo Minotauro’s gym go?

Minotauro was here at the Training Center and had a spar with the guys. I watched the way he trains closely. His Jiu-Jitsu is really sharp and he attacks the whole time. I feel that’s the way I fight too. Plus I swapped some information with him—that’s what counts most for me, since I’m just starting out in MMA.

What do you know about your opponent, Cesar Filho?

Cesar has a Jiu-Jitsu background but is more of an MMA athlete. What I mean is, these days he does everything: he stands just as much as he grapples. But I’m well prepared, so it’s in God’s hands.

How have you been dividing your time between MMA training and Jiu-Jitsu training, for your Copa Pódio match alongside your girlfriend, Marina Ribeiro?

I have a lot of time to train and get readapted to Jiu-Jitsu, since Copa Pódio is only in January. Even so, I train in the gi every day; only now that the fight is coming up am I putting the gi aside, to not hinder me. Jiu-Jitsu is my cash cow, so I can’t ever neglect training in it. I feel that all the athletes who put off Gi Jiu-Jitsu training will end up lacking in the future. It’s something I swear I’ll never neglect practicing.

What are your plans for after Copa Pódio?

After Copa Pódio I’ll turn my attention back to MMA. But I’ll also do some Abu Dhabis trials as well, because the Abu Dhabi WPJJC is the championship I like competing at the most. And of course, next year’s Jiu-Jitsu World Championship is also on my calendar.

Watch Davi in action against Jeff Monson at Grapplers Quest:

UFC Live: Hardy vs Lyte
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
August 13, 2011

Dan Hardy vs Chris Lytle
Jim Miller vs Ben Henderson
Charles “do Bronx” Oliveira vs Donald Cerrone
Amir Sadollah vs Duane Ludwig

Undercard

CB Dollaway vs Jared Hamman
Joseph Benavidez vs Eddie Wineland
Ed Herman vs Kyle Noke
Karlos Vemola vs Ronny Marques
Alex Caceres vs Jimy Hettes
Cole Miller vs TJ O’Brien
Jacob Volkmann vs Danny Castillo
Edwin Figueroa vs Jason Reinhardt

UFC Live: Hardy vs Lyte
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, EUA
14 de agosto de 2011

Dan Hardy vs Chris Lytle
Jim Miller vs Ben Henderson
Charles “do Bronx” Oliveira vs Donald Cerrone
Amir Sadollah vs Duane Ludwig

Card preliminar

CB Dollaway vs Jared Hamman
Joseph Benavidez vs Eddie Wineland
Ed Herman vs Kyle Noke
Karlos Vemola vs Ronny Marques
Alex Caceres vs Jimy Hettes
Cole Miller vs TJ O’Brien
Jacob Volkmann vs Danny Castillo
Edwin Figueroa vs Jason Reinhardt

Henrique Mello entra no card de Recife. Foto: Carlos Ozório.

O International Fighting Championship (IFC) realiza a sua primeira edição no próximo dia 29 de abril, no Centro de Convenções, em Recife. Grandes lutadores de MMA vão estar em ação no cercado pernambucano que anunciou mudanças no card.

O potiguar Jorjão Rodrigues está fora da luta contra o americano Carlos Prate. Para o seu lugar, o evento já escalou o atleta Henrique Mello (Nova União), campeão do GP do Fury Fight. Outra atração é a luta entre o faixa-preta da família mais tradicional do Jiu-Jitsu Gregor Gracie e o argentino Mariano Hinojal.

As lutas casadas também vão agitar o público pernambucano. Entre elas, o ex-UFC Ronys Torres encara o duro Helderson Filhão, já o Imperador de Recife Marcos Vinicius cai pra dentro de Rodolfo Marques.

“Estou pronto, vou fazer meu jogo, Deus já sabe o resultado.” disse o líder da Nine Nine Pernambuco.

Os outros três combates vão ser entre Erick Wanderley e Carlos Cachorrão e Cássio Jacaré contra Kleber Orgulho, além do cearense Renée Forte contra Mario Soldado. Nas super lutas, o ex-desafiante ao cinturão do UFC Hermes França mede forças com a revelação pernambucana Thawã Ril. Outra estrela é o faixa-preta de Carlson Gracie Paulão Filho, que pega Ronny Marques na luta principal da noite.

Outro atrativo é a ring girl, a organização confirmou Juliana Salimeni, a Juju do “Pânico na TV”, que vai fazer muito marmanjo babar nos intervalos dos rounds.

O IFC também investiu pesado na arbitragem, Mario Yamasaki, árbitro do UFC, Muzio De Angelis, um dos principais árbitros da IBJJF, e Wendell Alexander comandam os duelos no cage pernambucano. Os ingressos já estão à venda nas lojas Vitabrasilnet no Recife, Caruaru, João Pessoa e Natal.

Os preços variam de 35 (arquibancada) a 300 reais (cadeira VIP), além de mesas e camarotes. Maiores informações podem ser obtidas através do site www.internationalfc.com.br ou pelos telefones (81) 3326-7497, 3483-2008 e 3265-0003

(colaborou Junior Samurai)

Confira o card:

IFC
Centro de Convenções, Recife, Pernambuco
29 de abril de 2011

84Kg Gilvan Batista (Marcos Valle PE) x Ìcaro Silva (Fx Nova União PE)
66Kg Marcos Vinicius (Nine Nine PE) x Rodolfo Marques Diniz (Nova União RJ)
93Kg Erick Wanderley (Gracie Fusion BH) x Carlos Cachorrão (SAS/Dragon Fight/NU CE)
77Kg Mario Soldado (CM System PR) x Renée Forte (SAS/Dragon Fight/NU CE)
93Kg Cassio Jacaré (Jacaré Team PE) x Kleber Orgulho (Champion/Minotauro Team BA)
70Kg Helderson Filhão (CM System PR) x Ronys Torres (Nova União RJ)
70Kg Carlos Prate (Thugjitsu EUA) x Henrique Mello (Nova União RJ)
77Kg Mariano Hinojal (Cordoba – ARG) x Gregor Gracie (Renzo Gracie BJJ EUA)
73Kg Thawã Ril (Nine Nine PE) x Hermes Franca (Hermes Franca BJJ EUA)
90Kg Paulão Filho (BTT RJ) x Ronny Markes (Kimura NU RN)

Ronys has all it takes to shine abroad again. Photo: Carlos Ozório.

GRACIEMAG.com has its eyes on Brazil’s domestic MMA scene, paying close attention to the athletes with the potential to shine on the grand international stage. And the last installment of Shooto Brazil, held in the nation’s capital of Brasilia, served as stage for a number of these fighters who have just what it takes to make noise abroad.

Ronys Torres (16w-4l), for example, has already featured in the UFC octagon. Following the worst phase of his career, suffering three losses in a row, the beast from Amazonas state has won back-to-back fights again: two first-round submissions, using his forte of Jiu-Jitsu.

“I make my living by fighting, so I have to keep busy. At times, life seems like a Ferris wheel, where sometimes we’re at the top, others at the bottom. But God knows what he’s doing. I’ve already had offers to fight abroad, but nothing set in stone. In the meantime, I really like fighting here in Brazil, I like this energy. I have two fights scheduled right now: one April 29 at IFC, the other May 6 in Manaus. I’m really enjoying getting back into the routine of fighting a lot,” says Ronys, who in 2007 alone fought seven times, five in 2008.

With a Bellator win, Johnny deserves a move to a major organization. Photo: Carlos Oezório.

Another experienced fighter plying his trade in Brazilian rings and cages is Johnny Eduardo (25w-8l). The student off late Coach Luiz Alves is widely regarded as one of Brazil’s great strikers, but at last weekend’s Shooto, against José Wilson, it was his Jiu-Jitsu that was on display. He dominated his opponent on the ground and finished up with a rear-naked choke. “This isn’t muay thai, it’s MMA. That’s why this sport is a box of surprises,” he said in analysis. Johnny too has international experience, having fought in Japan and won in his only appearance at the USA’s Bellator promotion. He’s a guaranteed mouthful for any opponent.

They have the belts

Hacran racking up wins / Photo: Carlos Ozório

Also in Brasilia, three athletes secured South American Shooto titles and now figure among the big revelations and standouts for the Brazilian domestic MMA scene. Hacran Dias (18w-1l-1d), cousin of former Sengoku champion Marlon Sandro, is riding a six-fight winning streak. All he’s missing is one international win to take off once and for all. On the two occasions he fought overseas, he drew one and lost one decision. Among the victims on his CV, the lightweight champion holds wins over Willamy Chiquerim, Alex Cobra, Rodrigo Ruiz, and Marcos Babuíno – all with plenty of experience.

Seasoned Carlos Índio is carving out a place for himself. Photo: Carlos Ozório.

In the under-83 kg division, Carlos Índio (22w-9l) has loads of baggage too. The title holder made quick work of Julio Beba with a knockout in their title fight. The hard-hitter has 13 knockouts on his record, while his ground skills have netted him four submissions.

Young Ronny Marques can give anyone a hard time. Photo: Carlos Ozório.

One promising young up-and-comer is Ronny Marques (10w-1l), whose five-knockout-and-four-submission record points to a bright future. The Shooto South America champion’s next fight will be the litmus test: facing Paulo Filho in Recife.

A coincidence or not, all the aforementioned fighters belong to team Nova União.

There’s more Shooto coming up for Brasília

Riding the wave of success from the second installment of the event to be held in the nation’s capital by André Pederneiras and Edinho Bittencourt, there are two more planned for the city this year. The next will likely be in August and the other towards the end of the year.

Ronys tem tudo para voltar a brilhar no exterior. Foto: Carlos Ozório.

GRACIEMAG.com está de olho em quem vem mandando bem no MMA brasileiro, eventos que vêm apresentando bons combates e atletas que têm tudo para brilhar nas principais organizações internacionais. Na última edição do Shooto Brasil, em Brasília, não faltaram boas lutas e lutadores que ainda devem dar caldo mundo a fora.

Ronys Torres (16v-4d), por exemplo, já esteve no octagon do UFC.  Depois da pior fase da carreira, em que amargou três derrotas seguidas, a fera do Amazonas vem numa série de dois bons triunfos, duas finalizações no primeiro round, usando o seu forte Jiu-Jitsu.

“Vivo da luta e tenho que estar trabalhando. Às vezes, a vida é como uma roda gigante, estamos por cima e depois por baixo. Mas Deus sabe o que faz. Já tenho propostas para lutar no exterior, mas nada 100% ainda. Enquanto isso, gosto muito de lutar aqui no Brasil, gosto dessa energia. Já tenho pelo menos dois desafios marcados, um no dia 29 de abril, no IFC, e em 6 de maio, em Manaus. Estou gostando de voltar à rotina e lutar bastante”, comenta Ronys, que em 2007 fez sete lutas em um ano, e cinco em 2008.

Com vitória no Bellator, Johnny merece nova chance numa grande organização. Foto: Carlos Oezório.

Outro experiente lutador que dá o ar da graça nos ringues e cages brasileiros é Johnny Eduardo (25v-8d). O pupilo do falecido treinador Luiz Alves é conhecido como um dos grandes strikers brasileiros, mas na última luta no Shooto, contra Jose Wilson, mostrou que está com o Jiu-Jitsu afiado. Controlou as ações no chão e tratou de finalizar com um mata-leão. “Isso aqui não é muay thai, é MMA. Por isso esse esporte é uma caixinha de surpresas”, simplifica, numa análise perfeita. Johnny também tem experiência internacional, tendo combatido no Japão e vencido na única apresentação pelo americano Bellator. Merece chance fora, garantia de trabalho aos oponentes.

Eles têm o cinturão

Hacran segue trilhando as vitórias. Foto: Carlos Ozório.

Ainda no evento de Brasília, três atletas garantiram o cinturão sul-americano do Shooto e figuram entre as grandes revelações e destaques do MMA nacional. Hacran Dias (18v-1d-1e), primo do ex-campeão do Sengoku Marlon Sandro, vem numa série de seis triunfos. Falta uma vitória internacional para decolar de vez. Nas duas chances que teve fora do país, empatou e foi derrotado. No currículo, o campeão 70kg possui vitórias sobre Willamy Chiquerim, Alex Cobra, Rodrigo Ruiz e Marcos Babuíno, todos com bastante experiência.

Experiente, Carlos Índio ganha espaço. Foto: Carlos Ozório.

No peso 83kg, Carlos Índio (22v-9d) também carrega experiência. O detentor do cinturão nocauteou rapidamente Julio Beba na disputa de título. Com a mão pesada, conta com 13 nocautes a favor. Mas também sabe chão, com quatro finalizações.

Jovem, Ronny Marques tem tudo para dar ainda muito mais trabalho. Foto: Carlos Ozório.

Jovem e promissor, Ronny Marques (10v-1d) aponta para um futuro brilhante, com cinco nocautes e quatro finalizações a seu favor. Campeão sul-americano do Shooto, deve em breve brilhar na carreira internacional. E o próximo desafio vai ser um teste de fogo, contra Paulo Filho, em Recife.

Coincidentemente, ou não, todos os atletas citados pertencem à equipe Nova União.

Vem mais Shooto em Brasília

Depois do sucesso da segunda edição do evento no Distrito Federal, produzido em parceria de André Pederneiras e Edinho Bittencourt, outras duas são aguardadas na cidade para esta temporada. A próxima, provavelmente, em agosto e outra mais no final do ano.

The crowd that showed up at Nilson Nelson gymnasium in Brasilia was treated to a number of great fights this Friday night, with the 22nd installment of Shooto Brazil, an André Pederneiras and Edinho Bittencourt production. Besides the three South American titles, the event was attended by UFC featherweight champion José Aldo, and television star Juju Panicat drove the crowd into a frenzy.

Belts on the line

The 70kg title fight between Hacran Dias and Eliene Pit was a true battle. Hacran managed to take his adversary to the ground throughout the bout as well as landing solid strikes that battered his opponent’s eyes. But Pit toughed it out, giving as good as he got on a number of occasions. The striking exchange at the end, with both worn out, brought the crowd to its feet. In end, Hacran took the unanimous decision, bringing his tally to 18 wins with just one loss.

Carlos Índio flew over from Fortaleza to defend his under 83 kg belt. It nearly went down the drain early on, when he took a knockdown and struggled to escape a guillotine from his opponent. But Índio recovered well and dropped Junior Beba with a spot-on knee. From there on out, he dominated until getting the technical knockout, while still in the first round.

Now Ronny Marques left nothing to chance. In just 43 second he settled the bout with a well-placed punch that dropped Diogo Osama. A few strikes later and the fighter was celebrating in the arms of his master Jair Oliveira. Anyone who blinked missed it.

Plenty action and major stars

Former UFC fighter Ronys Torres put his Jiu-Jitsu to practice. After getting the takedown and mounting, he went for a kimura lock. But the win came later with a snug guillotine while still in the first round. The fight between Marco Antônio “Bad Face” and Hernani Perpétuo ended in the break between the first and second rounds. Marco got the tter of Hernani in the first round, opening cuts on his opponent’s face. The doctor deemed Perpétuo unable to continue during the break and called off the fight. Bad Face won.

One of the toughest fighters in Brazilian MMA, Johnny Eduardo showed his Jiu-Jitsu’s on par with his striking, against José Wilson. During the fight, the student of the late Luiz Alves got the takedown and mounted, to then finish from back mount with a rear-naked choke in the third round.

“That’s why I always say, ‘this isn’t muay thai, it’s MMA, a box of surprises!” said Johnny later.

John Lineker kept up his winning streak by knocking out Saulo Martins in the first round, after fully dominating the fight. Anistávio “Gasparzinho” Medeiros seemed to be getting the worst of the action against Lucio Curado, but after withstanding the pressure in the first stanza, managed to sink a heelhook in the second. “It was part of my strategy. I wanted him to tire,” he said.

Leonardo Pinheiro and Vinicius Boneco had a lively fight with good moments for each of them. However, in the end the win went to Léo by unanimous decision.

Check out the complete results:

Shooto Brazil 22
Brasilia, Brazil
April 1, 2011

Under-91kg belt
Ronny Marques defeated Diogo Osama via TKO at 43 seconds of round 1

Under-83kg belt
Carlos Índio defeated Junior Beba via TKO at 3:26 min of R1

Under-70kg belt
Hacran Dias defeated Eliene Pit via unanimous decision

Ronnys Torres submitted Guilherme Kioto via guillotine at 4:33 min of R1
Marco Antônio “Bad Face” defeated Hernani Perpétuo via TKO (doctor’s intervention between R’s 1 and 2)
Johnny Eduardo submitted José Wilson via rear-naked choke at 2:57 min of R3
John Lineker knocked out Saulo Martins at 3:30 min of R1
Bruno Macaco submitted William Mendes via rear-naked choke at 2:25 min of R1
Anistávio “Gasparzinho” Medeiros submitted Lucio Curado via heelhook in R2
Leonardo Pinheiro defeated Vinicius Boneco via unanimous decision