[Cat--Smasher]

‘Cigano’ wants to break some records, ready for Velasquez: “Let’s do it. I'll do my best to beat him”

Was it surprising for you it only happened at round two?

No, just the opposite. I thought that would happen, since we know Frank Mir is a tough guy, how good his Jiu-Jitsu is. He gets you stuck on positions but he’s dangerous and can submit you. I was hoping for it: keeping the distance on the first round, tire him out and then, on the second round, try and knock him out. That was my game plan and thank God it worked out.

He defeated Nogueira twice. How did you feel about it? Does it taste better now?

I don’t think about it. I’m a positive guy and I try to be good because I believe good things happen to good people. It’s a sport. What happened was he took advantage of a situation against Nogueira, when he tried to go for a guillotine choke and congratulations to him (Mir) for realizing and taking advantage of that. He, besides being an amazing fighter, is a great person. I’m sure he’s working hard now. It’s a sport. We’re not here to take things personally, much less me. I’m here to defend my title and i don’t might whom I’m fighting. I’ll just try to do my best so I can have good things coming for me.

It was your first title defense. Brock Lesnar and Randy Couture were the only ones who defended the heavyweight title. What do you think about this? Do you want to keep this title for a long time?

One more and I’ll break their record. I’ll try to, God bless me. I want to hold this title for a long time and I will do it alright. I’m working hard. This was the toughest training camp I’ve ever done in my life and I had people helping me, such as Everton Teixeira, a really tough guy. He’s amazing (laughs). Glauber, Caio at Jiu-Jitsu, Paulo, Lula. All guys at Champion helped me out. Rodrigo Artilheiro helped me at Wrestling. I really like having good people around me. That’s why (Luiz Carlos) Dorea is my coach, and Yuri Carlton, the one who believed me from the very beggining, he’s here too. They are amazing people and treat me fine. There’s Andre Piccoli, who’s a big guy who looks like a lady (laughs). He’s awesome, so that’s what I want to have besides be: good vibes.

You might fight Velasquez next. What are your thoughts about it?

Let’s do it. I don’t care who my next opponent is. It depends on UFC and, whoever it is, I’ll be ready to do my best and keep this title for a long time.

Do you think about fighting Overeem afterall?

I don’t think about fighting anybody. Overeem is paying the price to do drugs. If he keeps on doing it, I hope they keep him far away from me. If he stops doing it and come to fight a fair fight for us who don’t use it, he will be welcomed. If UFC wants to match me up against him someday, I’ll do my best to beat him.

‘Cigano’ wants to break some records, ready for Velasquez: “Let’s do it. I'll do my best to beat him” :: TATAME