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[Cat--Smasher]

Souza not interested in UFC, just more work

Ronaldo Souza signed a contract with Strikeforce, which in his mind, means he’s not going to spend time publicly calling out UFC opponents or complaining about the lack of promotion supporting the events.

He would, however, desperately like to fight more.
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While much of the criticism these days of Strikeforce focuses on the lack of depth in its divisions, Souza, who meets Derek Brunson on the main card of this weekend’s San Diego event, says his only complaint is he’s yet to fight more than twice in one year since signing his contract.

The long layoffs between fights are a source of frustration for the Brazilian, who says he feels his inactivity keeps him out of consideration as a top-10 middleweight.

Even more importantly, however, he’s not getting paid during that time off.

“I work for Strikeforce, so I talk about Strikeforce,” Souza told ESPN.com. “I can not talk about other events. I signed a paper and I’ve got to be a man and follow it.

“For sure I want to fight more often, though.”

Gilberto Faria, Souza’s manager, says he and his fighter understand the situation they’re facing. Under the broadcast deal that Strikeforce renewed with Showtime for the 2012 calendar year, there simply aren’t as many opportunities to fight.

Saturday’s event will mark the fifth show promoted by Strikeforce this year. At this point last year, there had been 12.

The fact he understands it doesn’t make matters any easier on Souza, though, whose only income for himself, his wife and two young children comes from fighting.

“Imagine you fight twice a year,” Faria said. “You pay for training, rent, food, support your kids -- it’s not easy. If you only fight twice a year, you don’t make that much money, how can you survive? But if you have a second job, how can you be an athlete at this level?”

Making matters worse is that Souza (15-3) wants to go all out. He got used to competing regularly during a decorated career in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and has a hard time ratcheting down intensity in the gym.

That mentality has at least made it easier for him to accept and mentally get up for fights against an opponent like Brunson (9-1), who although talented, is relatively unknown to the casual MMA fan.

“I like fighting anybody,” Souza said. “It doesn’t matter who the guy is or what his record is. I make sure I’m focused and ready to go in there and do my best.

Souza not interested in UFC, just more work - Mixed Martial Arts Blog - ESPN

[Fedorlei Gomipierre]

If Jacare's name isn't on that Strikeforce no-go list, I think he desperately needs some fresh competition, which the UFC MW division is filled with.

[MetallicKnight3X]

it'd be fun to have Souza and Rockholt come to the UFC but if they take everyone out Strikeforce will die out and I guess UFC and Zuffa don't want that happening.

[joeodd2]

Showtime who basically owns strikeforce don't want that happening, they want to pimp this whore till her pussy runs dry.....

[MIZjitsZOU]

Originally Posted by joeodd2

Showtime who basically owns strikeforce don't want that happening, they want to pimp this whore till her pussy runs dry.....

What?

[Sniggles]

Originally Posted by joeodd2

Showtime who basically owns strikeforce don't want that happening, they want to pimp this whore till her pussy runs dry.....

[joeodd2]

Originally Posted by Sniggles

.....I wanna give you an opportunity to expand on what you're trying to say, out of respect Sniggles. Cause my first instinct is that you're calling me something that really pisses me off.