The other coach was Wanderlei Silva and everybody knows how tumultuous things were leading up to an all out brawl between the two coaches and some of the athletes.

In this interview, Sonnen also talks about the fight with Wand and says that he wishes it never happened.

He also talks about Anderson Silva and what are his expectations for a return of The Spider and praises Vitor Belfort before saying their paths will cross one day.

From Jiu-Jitsu champion to UFC fighter. This path traced by the beasts of the gentle art to the largest MMA organization in the world is becoming common place. But fleeing from labels, Antonio Braga Neto didn’t put his black belt aside to join the UFC, but prefers to distance his image from the group of Jiu-Jitsu champions already there.

Chatting with GRACIEMAG.com, during a break at Circuit Team Nogueira 3 on Friday, May 24, Braga Neto talked about his expectations of the world’s most famous octagon, commented on the debut against Anthony Smith and said he doesn’t like to be compared with Demian, Roger and Jacare, MMA superstars who came from Jiu-Jitsu.

“People compare me to them. But I don’t like it. They are on another level, and I’ll still get there. I want to go after my space and thus be able to stand next to them,” said the humble Braga.

Check out the best parts of the conversation of Antonio Braga Neto with GRACIEMAG:

GRACIEMAG.com: World champion of Jiu-Jitsu twice and now signed to the UFC. How is it to be part of the group of great names of Jiu-Jitsu in MMA?

I am very happy to have signed with the UFC and be able to show my work in MMA, but I don’t like to be compared with Demian Maia, Roger Gracie and Ronaldo Jacare. They are very good, and I hope one day I reach the level they are. I just arrived, I want to work hard, do my best and get there.

How about your UFC debut? How is your mental aspect?

I am eager and happy. I hesitated a bit about the opponent. When you sign with the UFC, you don’t know who you will fight. We’ve had rookies fighting experienced guys in the organization. The fact of fighting against another UFC newcomer takes away this feeling, but still acknowledging the danger of my opponent.

Speaking of opponents, what do you already know about Anthony Smith? Were you already able to analyze and strategize?

Anthony Smith is a wrestler, who despite debuting in the UFC is very experienced and comes from Strikeforce. He didn’t let any of his fights go to decision, and I think that’s good. I imagine the pace of the fight will be cool to do a good job and get the victory.

How about the training? Are you improving your striking or sharpening your Jiu-Jitsu to submit?

I’m training everything. I trained a lot of boxing and also worked on muay thai. I have also trained Jiu-Jitsu a lot. I’m paying attention to all parts of the game, there’s no way to know where the fight will go. I’m ready for whatever comes.

TUF Brazil 2 Finale
Ginasio Paulo Sarasate, Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil
June 8, 2013

Rodrigo Minotauro vs Fabricio Werdum
“The Ultimate Fighter Brasil 2″ Final
Thiago Silva vs Rafael Feijao
Daniel Sarafian vs Eddie Mendez
Erick Silva vs Jason High
Rony Jason vs Mike Wilkinson

Preliminary Card

Raphael Assunçao vs Vaughan Lee
Ronny Markes vs Derek Brunson
Godofredo Pepey vs Felipe Arantes
Ildemar Marajo vs Leandro Buscape
Rodrigo Damm vs Mizuto Hirota
Caio Magalhães vs Karlos Vemola
Antônio Braga Neto vs Anthony Smith

Fabio Gurgel at Alliance São Paulo (photo by Ivan Trindade/GRACIEMAG)

About a month out from the Jiu-Jitsu Pan, team Alliance doesn’t want to hear about slowing down.

To not go soft from all the excesses of Brazilian carnival, team leader Fabio Gurgel gathered his troops for a special physical-conditioning session.

“Training was held normally at the academy up until Carnival Saturday. At the São Paulo headquarters we took a break on Monday and Tuesday and picked back up again on Wednesday. No partying here… The Pan is just around the corner, and we’re raring to go,” said Fabio Gurgel, one of the coaches on Fabricio Werdum’s team for the upcoming season of “The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil”, which is currently in the filming phase.

To prove that the holidays can’t shake the focus of those bent on progressing in Jiu-Jitsu, Fabio made the most of Carnival Monday to lead his students in some “light training” on the staircases of Sumaré, São Paulo. See how they suffered:

Renée Forte (publicity photo)

On Saturday Feb. 16, Renée Forte will have the mission of representing Team Nogueira at yet another UFC event. A former Ultimate Fighter: Brazil contestant, Forte will be making his debut in the lightweight division against England’s Terry Etim at UFC on Fuel TV 7 in London. Hometown fighter Etim is best known for being at the wrong end of what is widely regarded as the greatest knockout of 2012–Edson Barboza’s spinning head kick at UFC Rio 2 in January of last year.

With a record of seven wins and two losses, Forte underscores the importance of the work he’s been doing at Team Nogueira in the months leading up to the encounter.

“I did a good job of preparing,” he said. “I’m feeling great. I had a lot of help from my teammates here at Team Nogueira. I couldn’t have done a better job of planning it. I trained in everything and am ready to put on a great fight–that’s what I want.”

The fighter, who competed in the TUF Brazil reality show as a middleweight and made his promotional debut at welterweight, also commented on his departure for the lightweight division. Forte guarantees that the transition won’t hinder him and that he factored the weight cut into his plans months ago. Besides the issue of his body, the Brazilian made it clear that he is unafraid of Etim’s ground game and that he trusts in his skills to frustrate his opponent.

“I’ve been cutting weight for some time now,” he said. “I’m much quicker now and just as strong as I was. I’m going in there full blast for sure. I recognize Etim’s ground skills but I have faith in my own potential. I’m going to put what I did in training to practice. I feel it will be a good fight, one that will be major turning point for my career.”

Before disembarking in London last Tuesday, the Team Nogueira fighter spent two weeks in France training with Cyril Asker, and revealed that the stint there was very important in his adapting and finalizing his training.

“The days I spent there were really important in helping me to aclimate and seek further understanding and overall information,” he said. “I worked a lot on wrestling and boxing. It was a job well done. I’m really confident for this fight. I’m very grateful for the support I’ve received this whole time.”

For more UFC and MMA coverage,
visit GRACIEMAG.com’s Choke MMA section

Fabricio Werdum and Fabio Gurgel in Los Angeles (personal archive photo)

A two-time Jiu-Jitsu world champion and UFC heavyweight contender Fabricio Werdum is bringing in the big guns to help his team win the second season of the The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil.

The head coach opposite Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira announced on Twitter that Fabio Gurgel, the captain of decorated Jiu-Jitsu team Alliance and a four-time world champion, will be responsible for his side’s grappling game.

“I’m confirmed as a coach for TUF,” Gurgel confirmed to GRACIEMAG.com on Thursday. “I’m returning to São Paulo right now following an intensive 15-day Jiu-Jitsu marathon at [Rubens] Cobrinha’s academy in Los Angeles. I think I already need another vacation!”

Gurgel, who turns 43 on Jan. 18, has his own combat commitment coming up, when he locks horns with Zé Mario Sperry, 46, in a masters super match at ADCC 2013.

The Jiu-Jitsu coach for Nogueira’s team will be Everaldo Penco, the black belt in charge of the Jiu-Jitsu program at Team Nogueira.

For more UFC and MMA coverage,
visit GRACIEMAG.com’s Choke MMA section

The longtime cornerman discussed returning to Brazil to help Fabricio Werdum coach The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 2, and shared his thoughts on his fighter rematching Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira later this year.

Check out the exclusive video interview below.

For more UFC and MMA coverage,

visit GRACIEMAG.com’s Choke MMA section

Photo by Mike Poeschle for www.peshphoto.com

Thiago Silva submits till-then-unbeaten Nedkov at UFC Macau. Photo by Josh Hedges/UFC publicity

“I saw his [Nedkov’s] face. His expression changed. So I decided to try and take him down. I took the right opportunity. He hits hard; but I never quit.”

Thiago Silva, after tapping out Stanislav Nedkov and winning Submission of the Night Bonus at UFC Macau

I like testing my Jiu-Jitsu under all rules—No-Gi; ADCC; no points, like at Metamoris… Everyone’s always asking me when I’m going to quit, so I’ll put this challenge out there: when someone passes my guard, then I’ll quit (laughs).”

Xande Ribeiro, half serious, half joking, after winning two gold medals at the 2012 No-Gi Worlds

“To me Leandro Lo is still the number one lightweight in the world. I feel his game is heavily dependent on [gi] grips; that’s why I managed to beat him.”

Augusto Tanquinho, after routing Leandro Lo 9-0 in the No-Gi Worlds semifinal

“It’s great to compete without stopping to look at the scoreboard. That’s the idea behind Jiu-Jitsu—to think only about making the opponent quit, to tap him out. I hate competing against those guys who go in there to win by advantages, or hang on to one position just so they can sweep at the end. That makes for ugly Jiu-Jitsu.”

Marcus Bochecha

“Strikeforce, which airs on Showtime, will be running its last event in January before folding up shop for good.”

Report on TMZ Sports website, regarding Ronda Rousey’s arrival at the UFC and the end of the event that put her in the limelight

“And I’ve even got Wanderlei Silva on my team? Look, I may not win it, but it will be the funniest TUF ever!”

Fabricio Werdum, after being confirmed as coach on TUF Brazil opposite Rodrigo Minotauro

Rubens Cobrinha sinks a submission at the 2012 No-Gi Worlds. Now he’s set to shine on Brazilian television broadcasting giant Globo. Photo by John Lamonica/GRACIEMAG.

Via his Twitter account, Jiu-Jitsu ace Rubens Charles “Cobrinha” Maciel announced that he will indeed be taking part in the second season of the TUF Brazil reality show, in 2013. He will be the grappling coach for the team of Fabricio Werdum, who will take on Rodrigo Minotauro and his team of newbie welterweights.

With two-time world champion Werdum and four-time champion Cobrinha (who also added a fourth world title in No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu to his ledger last weekend), the expectations of Jiu-Jitsu fans in Brazil shoot through the stratosphere: could they learn something new in Jiu-Jitsu on Globo Network next year?

Share your thoughts in the comments field below, gentle reader.

The TUF teams

Originally a capoeira stylist and now a black belt with acrobatic maneuvers, Rubens Cobrinha wields a potent guard game both in and out of the gi. He hasn’t made his MMA debut yet. He will join forces with Wanderlei Silva, former Chute Boxe coach Rafael Cordeiro, Kenny Johnson the wrestling coach, and Felipe Werdum, the capoeira-stylist brother of the heavyweight.

Minotauro’s picks for coaches

Luiz Dórea, Everaldo Penco (Jiu-Jitsu), Eric Albarracin (wrestling), Sheymon Moraes and Vitor Miranda (Thai boxing).

Godofredo Pepey tries landing a fist on Rony Jason in the TUF Brazil final, at UFC BH. Publicity photo.

A Jiu-Jitsu black belt with eight wins and a lone loss on his MMA record, Godofredo Pepey already knows when he’ll next be stepping into the octagon. The native of the Brazilian state of Ceará will take on the seasoned Milton Vieira at the January 19 UFC Brazil show, the location for which has yet to be announced.

Pepey, a finalist on the inaugural season of TUF Brazil, has been training ialongside his brother Godofredo Claudio and black belts Tiago Marques and Rafael Gárgula at MG Pepey headquarters, in Fortaleza City’s Damas neighborhood. “I’m still training at the same, always-intense pace. But it’s going to get even tougher; in November I’m heading to Curitiba to train with [Mauricio] Shogun, André Dida and Sérgio Moraes,” said Pepey.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s promoters have also confirmed that Iuri Marajó will be dropping a weight class to bantamweight to take on Johnny Eduardo for the January show. Where will this UFC event take place, gentle reader? What’s your prediction?

Stay tuned to GRACIEMAG.com for all things Jiu-Jitsu and MMA.

Rodrigo Minotauro andFabricio Werdum first fought at the Pride GP of 2006. Rodrigo landed more shots and won the decision. Publicity photo.

Heavyweights Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira and Fabricio Werdum have been officially announced as head coaches for the second season of the reality show The Ultimate Fighter Brazil, and the date for the showdown between the two stars has been set: June 8, somewhere in Brazil. Shooting of the show will likely only begin after January.

Minotauro, a native of the Northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia but sponsored by Southern Brazilian team Internacional, spoke about his scheduled tussle with Werdum, a southerner who happens to cheer for the crosstown rivals, Gremio. According to Minotauro, it would be a dream come true if the TUF Brazil 2 final were to be held at Fonte Nova arena, in Bahia, his birth state.

“Rio is my lucky arena, isn’t it? Having the crowd and Team Nogueira there helps,” the onetime heavyweight champion says on the blog that he keeps on MSN website.

In his post, he praises his opponent:

“Werdum has improved a lot,” he says, adding: “He beat Roy Nelson and Mike Russow, two meaningful wins in the UFC, and the fact that he’s a fighter coming up the ranks just motivates me more for this fight.”

The two stars have already faced off once before, at now-defunct Japanese event Pride FC in 2006, on which occasion Rodrigo won a unanimous decision based on solid, hard-hitting boxing. Werdum managed to land some well-timed takedowns and even tried some submissions, but Mino, who was on top for most of the time, punished him from within his guard.

Minotauro didn’t want to address tactics, but he did bring up the first encounter:

“I’m going to watch some tape on him, so the team and I can look at a strategy,” says the MMA legend. “Our fight [at Pride FC] was a long time ago. I did better standing, since I’d started boxing a lot earlier than he did. Later on, he went to train at Chute Boxe and got a lot better. But on the ground we were even. He has really good Jiu-Jitsu, so I’m going to train a lot of grappling with my team, Ramon Lemos and Everaldo Penco,” Rodrigo adds.

He also reveals the names of some of the trainers who may help him prepare the up-and-coming welterweights he will be guiding as coach, a role he says he wants to excel at: Eric Albarracin, Everaldo Penco, Ramon Lemos, Erivan Conceição and Luiz Carlos Dórea.

What do you say, gentle Jiu-Jitsu lover? What do you expect from Minotauro vs. Werdum part 2? Lots of standup or mostly Jiu-Jitsu?

Rodrigo Minotauro and Anderson Silva wearing Corinthians soccer club jerseys at UFC Rio 3. presser / UFC publicity photo

The traditional pre-weigh-ins press conference took place this Thursday in Rio de Janeiro. UFC head honcho Dana White not there to anchor, Rodrigo Minotauro, Anderson Silva, Glover Teixeira, Fabio Maldonado, Dave Herman and Stephen Bonnar were the main stars present.

The questions superstar Anderson Silva, who headlines the event alongside Stephan Bonnar, fielded were about a different opponent. Asked about what direction his career will take after the Rio event and whether there was a possibility of his facing Jon Jones, the champion of the division above, Anderson extinguished the hopes fans had of seeing a fight of the century.

“There are a lot of possibilities for me in the UFC, but fighting Jon Jones is out of the question,” he said coolly, and no one touched on the subject again. Anderson has indeed on a number of occasions that maintaining his middleweight title is a hard enough mission as it is. When queried about Jones, he deferred the task to his light heavyweight teammates: Rogério Minotouro, Rafael Feijão and Fabio Maldonado.

On his fight Saturday night, the “Spider” classified it as a good test of his knockout ability, as Bonnar has never fallen in a fight, not even to Jones nor Rashad Evans. But the Brazilian revealed what his only obligation in the fight is, which teaches us something about how defense is important too.

“This fight [against Bonnar] is a good test for me on my feet, because he’s never been knocked out before. But my only obligation when I get in the octagon is to return home in one piece,” he put simply.

Stephan Bonnar assumed the role of underdog but said he has faith he can win it: “I feel like I’m in an action flick. I’m the underdog but this is my chance. I have to make the most of the situation.”

Anderson also brought up how he took the short-notice invitation to fight at UFC Rio after José Aldo dropped off the card. “I was at the gym, standing next to Minotauro. I told him, ‘If you’re for it, I’m for it,” he said with a laugh. “Truth is, ever since the Sonnen fight in Las Vegas, I’ve been wanting to fight for the Brazilian fans. Now I’m happy because I get to do so so quickly.”

In the second-to-last fight of the night, Rodrigo Nogueira will see action for the first time since operating the arm broken by a Frank Mir Kimura lock. The Brazilian heavyweight had to pull out of a previously scheduled fight with Cheick Kongo after feeling pain in his arm. Now he says he is ready to fight.

“Everyone thinks that, since I’m a Jiu-Jitsu specialist, I’m going to just try and take fights to the ground, but I think we’re going to stand and bang. I’m ready to fight standing. I have faith in my striking. I know we’re going to throw a lot of kicks and knees. I like using my hands. I’m ready for both,” he said in an animosity-free interview with his rival Dave Herman.

The Brazilian’s opponent made it clear he’s not going to let the crowd get to him: “I don’t pay attention to the fans. They can be loud or quiet, I’m just going to have a normal day. MInotauro is an MMA legend and top 10 fighter. But I want to beat him and move up the ranking,” said Herman in praise.

Amid the expectations surrounding the second season of the TUF Brazil reality show, Minotauro was asked whether he might again be one of the coaches on the program – having coached opposite Frank Mir during the 2009 season in the USA.

“Look, I’d like for Anderson to be head coach on TUF. I could be the team’s Jiu-Jitsu coach. That would be awesome,” said Rodrigo. Besides Anderson Silva, Lyoto Machida and Mauricio Shogun have also been mentioned as possible frontrunners.

Fabio Maldonado and Glover Teixeira, two Brazilians tipped to put on an epic showdown at UFC Rio, spoke about their fight without too much bluster.

“I’m in my best shape. Glover’s going to face the best Maldonado of all times. Glover is what they say; he’s a great fighter and deserves all the attention he’s getting. He has a lot more experience than I do. But he’s not going to get a shot at Jon Jones, because I’m going to stop him first,” said Fabio, who is confident the training he’s done at Team Nogueira will serve him well.

“The fight starts on the feet, so we’re going to stand and bang some. I’m going to fight my way, not his,” asserted Glover, adding that his training with Machida was as good as it gets.

What are your thoughts about and what do you expect for UFC 153/Rio? Which will be the fight of the night? Will any of the underdogs pull off the upset? Who’ll get the submission of the night? Comment below!

UFC RIO 3
HSBC ARENA, RIO, RJ
OCTOBER 13, 2012

Anderson Silva vs Stephan Bonnar
Rodrigo Minotauro vs Dave Herman
Glover Teixeira vs Fábio Maldonado
Jon Fitch vs Erick Silva
Wagner Caldeirão vs Phil Davis
Demian Maia vs Rick Story
Rony Jason vs Sam Sicilia
Gleison Tibau vs Francisco Massaranduba
Diego Brandão vs Joey Gambino
Serginho Moraes vs Renée Forte
Luiz Banha vs Chris Camozzi
Cristiano Marcello vs Reza Madadi