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The last KSW tournament champion Vitor Nobrega (9-1-0) doesn't waste his time. According to his promoters he got another win to his record yesterday (Sunday, February 21st) at Desportos de Combate SLB event in Lisbon. His schedule is tight as at the end of March he's fighting in Slovenia and on May 7th he will come to Poland for the fourth time to challenge for the KSW World Title. We present you with an interview with a fighter, who is managed by Pole Maciej Kozlowski.
Hi Vitor. How are you?
- Hi, I'm fine, thank you. I've just won another MMA fight.
Congratulations! Tell me please, where did you fight and against whom?
- I fought in Portugual against the Dutchman Sebastian Rijslag.
If you don't mind, I'd like to ask you a few question.
- No problem.
How did you start your career?
- I started training with a group of my friends when I was fifteen. I turned out to be the only one of this group who fell in love with it. At the age of twenty I was awarded my black belt and I had my first professional fights.
Who promoted you to a black belt?
- I received my BJJ black belt from professor Learte Barcelosa, who was an understudy of great master Osvaldo Alves. I got my blue belt from Osvaldo Alves, because I did most of my trainings in Brazil under him.
What does it mean to you to receive the highest rank in the sport, which is practiced by millions and originates from your home country?
- It was a very emotional moment for me. I took great responsibility to represent the revolution in martial arts. Each time I enter the ring I remember about it.
You are a Brazilian, who lives and trains in Portugal, how dit it happen?
- Before I moved to Portugal, I had lived in USA, where I had been looking for my place on Earth. I didn’t find it there, nor in Brazil, where the best athletes and jiu jitsu experts live, but there is no place for everyone. Brazilians love MMA, they train hard and earn their black belts, but it’s not the end. I felt responsible for my evolution as a fighter, that's why I decided to search for opportunities in other countries all over the world. Portugal is an European country, many Brazilians live there, because there is no language barrier. I found myself here thanks to the European Jiu Jitsu Championships in 2005, when I fought Jacare in the final. It was a good match, but I lost. After the competition I received an offer to stay here and teach BJJ. I’m very glad that I decided to settle in Portugal, I fly to Brazil very often to visit my family, though. It's also very important to me.
What are your goals in life? What do you want to achieve in your career.
- I’m really happy that I can make a living by competing in MMA, but my ambitions are much bigger than that. I want my name to be known on all continents. I want to give all my best in my fights and then pass on my knowledge and experience to children. I want to raise new breed of excellent fights
What about your dreams?
- I want to be pleased with my MMA career and I want MMA to provide me and my family with a better future.
Let’s talk about your upcoming MMA challenges. You will visit our country once again in May. You are set to compete for the KSW Middleweight World Title against one of the Polish MMA pioneers Krzysztof Kulak. Have you already seen his fights. What do you think about his fighting style?
- I'm sure it will be a great fight. I haven't seen Krzysztof’s fights yet, the right time will come for this. I know he is a good and experienced fighter. At the moment I'm focused on preparations for my fight in Slovenia. I know, I’ll be fully prepared for both of these challenges.
Krzysztof Kulak is veteran of KSW ring. Are you more motivated when you face such opponents?
- Yes. I also believe we will put on a great show. I'm going to train very hard and I know Krzysiek will do the same. I'm sure many fans in Poland will be very excited for this encounter.
"Model" also has a background in jiu jitsu, he won medals in Brazilian Championships. How do you think your fight will unfold. Do you expect him to capitalize on your weaker area of the MMA game, which is your stand up. Or maybe you both will try to prove whose jiu jitsu is superior?
- To be honest I don't care where the fight will end up. My goal is to finish the fight either standing up or on the ground. You have to be versatile in MMA. Fans in Poland saw me constantly taking fights to the ground, but it doesn't mean I have no striking abilities. I train a lot of boxing and I like to kick. I was raised in the pretty rough environment, it gives me a lot of strength to fight for what is mine. I want to leave it all in the ring and keep the belt for long.
How do you recall your first and the following visits at KSW shows. What are your most positive memories? Where there any negative ones?
- The only negative memory is connected with my first visit in Poland. The loss I suffered on KSW 9 is the only one on my record. It happened when I really wanted to introduce myself to Polish audience. That day was really miserable. I don’t make any excuses. My opponent was better that day and I congratulate him on his performance. It is safe to say, it wasn’t my best day. Every following visit was very successful. I love MMA and I like fighting in Poland. Since my first fight here I get to know many Polish people, who are now my friends. I almost feel like I’m at home here. (laughing)
Thank you for the interview. I wish you luck in Slovenia and see you in Poland.
- Thanks and greetings to all MMA fans.
Interview by Artur Przybysz
Hi Vitor. How are you?
- Hi, I'm fine, thank you. I've just won another MMA fight.
Congratulations! Tell me please, where did you fight and against whom?
- I fought in Portugual against the Dutchman Sebastian Rijslag.
If you don't mind, I'd like to ask you a few question.
- No problem.
How did you start your career?
- I started training with a group of my friends when I was fifteen. I turned out to be the only one of this group who fell in love with it. At the age of twenty I was awarded my black belt and I had my first professional fights.
Who promoted you to a black belt?
- I received my BJJ black belt from professor Learte Barcelosa, who was an understudy of great master Osvaldo Alves. I got my blue belt from Osvaldo Alves, because I did most of my trainings in Brazil under him.
What does it mean to you to receive the highest rank in the sport, which is practiced by millions and originates from your home country?
- It was a very emotional moment for me. I took great responsibility to represent the revolution in martial arts. Each time I enter the ring I remember about it.
You are a Brazilian, who lives and trains in Portugal, how dit it happen?
- Before I moved to Portugal, I had lived in USA, where I had been looking for my place on Earth. I didn’t find it there, nor in Brazil, where the best athletes and jiu jitsu experts live, but there is no place for everyone. Brazilians love MMA, they train hard and earn their black belts, but it’s not the end. I felt responsible for my evolution as a fighter, that's why I decided to search for opportunities in other countries all over the world. Portugal is an European country, many Brazilians live there, because there is no language barrier. I found myself here thanks to the European Jiu Jitsu Championships in 2005, when I fought Jacare in the final. It was a good match, but I lost. After the competition I received an offer to stay here and teach BJJ. I’m very glad that I decided to settle in Portugal, I fly to Brazil very often to visit my family, though. It's also very important to me.
What are your goals in life? What do you want to achieve in your career.
- I’m really happy that I can make a living by competing in MMA, but my ambitions are much bigger than that. I want my name to be known on all continents. I want to give all my best in my fights and then pass on my knowledge and experience to children. I want to raise new breed of excellent fights
What about your dreams?
- I want to be pleased with my MMA career and I want MMA to provide me and my family with a better future.
Let’s talk about your upcoming MMA challenges. You will visit our country once again in May. You are set to compete for the KSW Middleweight World Title against one of the Polish MMA pioneers Krzysztof Kulak. Have you already seen his fights. What do you think about his fighting style?
- I'm sure it will be a great fight. I haven't seen Krzysztof’s fights yet, the right time will come for this. I know he is a good and experienced fighter. At the moment I'm focused on preparations for my fight in Slovenia. I know, I’ll be fully prepared for both of these challenges.
Krzysztof Kulak is veteran of KSW ring. Are you more motivated when you face such opponents?
- Yes. I also believe we will put on a great show. I'm going to train very hard and I know Krzysiek will do the same. I'm sure many fans in Poland will be very excited for this encounter.
"Model" also has a background in jiu jitsu, he won medals in Brazilian Championships. How do you think your fight will unfold. Do you expect him to capitalize on your weaker area of the MMA game, which is your stand up. Or maybe you both will try to prove whose jiu jitsu is superior?
- To be honest I don't care where the fight will end up. My goal is to finish the fight either standing up or on the ground. You have to be versatile in MMA. Fans in Poland saw me constantly taking fights to the ground, but it doesn't mean I have no striking abilities. I train a lot of boxing and I like to kick. I was raised in the pretty rough environment, it gives me a lot of strength to fight for what is mine. I want to leave it all in the ring and keep the belt for long.
How do you recall your first and the following visits at KSW shows. What are your most positive memories? Where there any negative ones?
- The only negative memory is connected with my first visit in Poland. The loss I suffered on KSW 9 is the only one on my record. It happened when I really wanted to introduce myself to Polish audience. That day was really miserable. I don’t make any excuses. My opponent was better that day and I congratulate him on his performance. It is safe to say, it wasn’t my best day. Every following visit was very successful. I love MMA and I like fighting in Poland. Since my first fight here I get to know many Polish people, who are now my friends. I almost feel like I’m at home here. (laughing)
Thank you for the interview. I wish you luck in Slovenia and see you in Poland.
- Thanks and greetings to all MMA fans.
Interview by Artur Przybysz
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