Ricardo Almeida: "His way or my way I don’t see this fight going three rounds".

Fight Like A Champion - What You Should Know About Training and Competing

MMAyou.com got to catch up Ricardo Almeida as he gets ready to face Patrick “The Predator” Cote at UFC 85 on July 5th in Las Vegas. Check out what Cote has to say about his upcoming opponent Patrick Cote, a possible match-up with Anderson Silva, the UFC 185lb division, and much more.

MMAyou.com: First, how are you doing?

Almeida: I am doing very well. I have back been training full time for a while now. My body keeps getting stronger, I guess I am not that old, yet! Training is going great, I belong to a great team and I believe once again they will get me where I need to be in order to win on July 5th.

MMAyou.com: You’re set to face Patrick Cote next, please give us your thoughts on this fight.

Almeida: It is a classic grappler versus striker matchup. I think it is no secret I want to get him down and he wants to keep it on the feet. Cote is very aggressive as I also try to be. His way or my way I don’t see this fight going three rounds.

MMAyou.com: Your facing a good striker in Patrick Cote and another one in Anderson Silva should you beat Cote. Who have you been working with to get your standup ready for your fights?

Almeida: I have been working on my boxing for a while now. Don't expect me to all of a sudden start knocking people out but I have been sparring with some pro boxers and actually feel even more comfortable on my feet. To me the stand up game is like playing roulette but I can always rely on my Jiu Jitsu. You will see me looking to take the fight to the ground almost one hundred of the time.

MMAyou.com: Many people, myself included, feel you would be one of the biggest, if not the biggest threat to Anderson Silva due to your impressive ground game. If you were to fight Anderson how do you see this fight going down?

Almeida: Thank you for the compliment but there are other tremendous fighters in the middleweight division in the UFC. We have Dan and Rich although they already had their shot. Then Bisping and the Brazilian contingent in Maia, Palhares and Leites. Any of these guys will have a great fight with Anderson Silva. Just to clarify I have not heard anything about a possible title shot. Regardless it would be disrespectful toward Patrick Cote to start talking about a possible Anderson Silva match. If I win in July we’ll come back to this one.

MMAyou.com: You’ve had a very successful career as a fighter. What attributes would you say a person needs to succeed at MMA?

Almeida: I believe in two attributes that are indispensable, unless you are a freak like GSP or BJ Penn and even those guys look like they have plenty of both; they are indomitable spirit and guidance.
I have always had determination but under Renzo’s guidance it has become a burning desire for perfection. Perfection of character, perfection of technique and perfection as a human being. Even though I know I will never be perfect, the pursuit will get me closer than if I just assume I am good enough.

MMAyou.com: You were trained by a great fighter and coach in Renzo Gracie. What was it like to train under Renzo?

Almeida: To have met Renzo has been one of the biggest blessings in my life. He has been my mentor inside and outside the ring.

Renzo doesn’t really care about the outcome of a match but he demands a non quitting spirit. With Renzo in my corner I am more afraid of quitting than losing any match I am ever in. If you go into his Academy in NY, the only picture he has hanged is from his match with Sakuraba. That was his most devastating loss because it happened in the closing moments of a fight in which in my opinion he was winning the decision. He had his arm dislocated and never tapped. I believe it is one of the most proud moments he carries of himself in the ring even though it took a loss for it to happen.

MMAyou.com: Is there anyone you would like to face?

Almeida: In the beginning of 2008 many fans were complaining that the middleweight was a week division in the UFC. I predict that by this year’s end we will have set things up for a stellar 2009. There are so many tough guys. I just want to keep winning in order fight the top guys in the division. I came back to fight for the title, that is still my goal. But if I lose before then I just see so many great match ups in the future. I am training harder than ever. I am more excited than ever about fighting. I am looking forward to what is coming ahead.

MMAyou.com: Is there anything you would like to say to our readers?

Almeida: MMA is fun with a remote control in one hand and a beer in the other but it is even more fun when you are training. You don’t need to fight competitively to have a great time learning to do what UFC fighters do and more importantly you will get in the best shape of your life.

Hope to see you on the mats soon, if not, on Pay-Per-View July 5th for sure. Tune In.

For more information on Ricardo Almeida please visit www.ricardoalmeida.com.

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Comments (5) Add Comment

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written by Adam Bruss, June 13, 2008

"MMA is fun with a remote control in one hand and a beer in the other but it is even more fun when you are training. You don’t need to fight competitively to have a great time learning to do what UFC fighters do and more importantly you will get in the best shape of your life."

Love that comment.

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written by Mo, June 13, 2008

Nice..Ricardo seems so cool. I like that last comment too.