Mr. Beelzebub
10-16-2003, 08:17 PM
Pedro Rizzo
By Arnaldo Bechara
Determination and Agression
Pedro Rizzo has just spent three weeks in Thailand training Muay Thai with his friend Peter Aerts. One of the main men in Ruas Vale Tudo, Pedro will fight his last contract match with the UFC against the American Ricco Rodrigues. In an interview with TATAME site, Rizzo talks about his experience in the land of Muay Thai, about a possible run with Pride and how it's going to be: 'From now on, it's pure determination and agression. You can be sure, the fights will finish sooner than you think'.
You just got from Thailand. How was it training over there?
My trip happened by accident. I normally go to Holland to train with Peter Aerts at the start of my training, because they have good stand-up. But since Peter was going to fight Venetiaan in Japan and the time difference is only one hour we, Rene Rose, Harry Hulf and I, decided to join him at Sifu MC Hinnes gym in Thailand. That was the beginning of my training. Here in Brazil I'm training Boxing with Claudio Coelho, Muay Thai and Wrestling with the team. Since the gym partially belongs to Dede (Andre Pederneiras), he also lends some ground.
So you haven't been to BTT to train ground fighting?
No, because Murilo Bustamante , a great friend of mine, who has often helped me out, has to train for Pride and I don't want to get in the way.
After your experience in Thailand, what would you say is the best type of Muay Thai, Thai or Dutch?
The Muay Thai in Thailand is the real Mcoy. They make good use of elbows and knees whereas in Holland the game is more centered around box and combing punches and kicks. In a Thai fight, they stay a long time in the clinch which is common, whereas in K-1 clinching will be broken up. For me, Muay Thai is the best, but it is best to be well-versed in both styles.
You've been in Pride only a short time. Is there going to be a deal?
Nothing on the cards yet. If I fight well, the UFC probably will want to renew my contract. After this fight, anyone who pays well, I will fight for. It could even be in Korea or K-1 which now has MMA.
Have you ever thought of fighting in K-1 as a striker?
Yes, they made me many offers, but I would have to prove my worth as a striker to justify a similar purse.
Mirko Cro-Cop is considered a hard nut to crack in the heavyweight category. Who do you think could beat him?
Fedor could, so could Minotauro and Wanderlei fought wonderfully against him. I would love to fight him and I'm sure it would be a great fight,
Minotauro will face Mirko in the next Pride. What advice would you give to your friend? Would you help him in his stand-up?
It's very difficult to fight with Fedor. He has a heavy hand and good wrestling. Cro-crop is good on his feet, but his ground techniques are deficient. The thing is to defend the kicks to the head and the ribs and then take him to the ground which Minotauro rules. As for helping him in his stand-up, with pleasure.
Who are the hardest heavyweights in the UFC?
The champion Tim Sylvia, Ricco Rodrigues and Andrei Arlovsky, who fought with Matyushenko and beat him up. The man is 1,94m and 112 kilos, with good boxing and sprawl.
What can your fans expect from Pedro Rizzo in your next fight?
From here on, it's pure determination and agression. You can be sure, the fights will finish quicker than you think. I will fight to win and in accordance with a game plan.
I believe Rizzo is gonna KO "Suave" and prove that he's still a force to be reckoned with in the Heavyweight division.
By Arnaldo Bechara
Determination and Agression
Pedro Rizzo has just spent three weeks in Thailand training Muay Thai with his friend Peter Aerts. One of the main men in Ruas Vale Tudo, Pedro will fight his last contract match with the UFC against the American Ricco Rodrigues. In an interview with TATAME site, Rizzo talks about his experience in the land of Muay Thai, about a possible run with Pride and how it's going to be: 'From now on, it's pure determination and agression. You can be sure, the fights will finish sooner than you think'.
You just got from Thailand. How was it training over there?
My trip happened by accident. I normally go to Holland to train with Peter Aerts at the start of my training, because they have good stand-up. But since Peter was going to fight Venetiaan in Japan and the time difference is only one hour we, Rene Rose, Harry Hulf and I, decided to join him at Sifu MC Hinnes gym in Thailand. That was the beginning of my training. Here in Brazil I'm training Boxing with Claudio Coelho, Muay Thai and Wrestling with the team. Since the gym partially belongs to Dede (Andre Pederneiras), he also lends some ground.
So you haven't been to BTT to train ground fighting?
No, because Murilo Bustamante , a great friend of mine, who has often helped me out, has to train for Pride and I don't want to get in the way.
After your experience in Thailand, what would you say is the best type of Muay Thai, Thai or Dutch?
The Muay Thai in Thailand is the real Mcoy. They make good use of elbows and knees whereas in Holland the game is more centered around box and combing punches and kicks. In a Thai fight, they stay a long time in the clinch which is common, whereas in K-1 clinching will be broken up. For me, Muay Thai is the best, but it is best to be well-versed in both styles.
You've been in Pride only a short time. Is there going to be a deal?
Nothing on the cards yet. If I fight well, the UFC probably will want to renew my contract. After this fight, anyone who pays well, I will fight for. It could even be in Korea or K-1 which now has MMA.
Have you ever thought of fighting in K-1 as a striker?
Yes, they made me many offers, but I would have to prove my worth as a striker to justify a similar purse.
Mirko Cro-Cop is considered a hard nut to crack in the heavyweight category. Who do you think could beat him?
Fedor could, so could Minotauro and Wanderlei fought wonderfully against him. I would love to fight him and I'm sure it would be a great fight,
Minotauro will face Mirko in the next Pride. What advice would you give to your friend? Would you help him in his stand-up?
It's very difficult to fight with Fedor. He has a heavy hand and good wrestling. Cro-crop is good on his feet, but his ground techniques are deficient. The thing is to defend the kicks to the head and the ribs and then take him to the ground which Minotauro rules. As for helping him in his stand-up, with pleasure.
Who are the hardest heavyweights in the UFC?
The champion Tim Sylvia, Ricco Rodrigues and Andrei Arlovsky, who fought with Matyushenko and beat him up. The man is 1,94m and 112 kilos, with good boxing and sprawl.
What can your fans expect from Pedro Rizzo in your next fight?
From here on, it's pure determination and agression. You can be sure, the fights will finish quicker than you think. I will fight to win and in accordance with a game plan.
I believe Rizzo is gonna KO "Suave" and prove that he's still a force to be reckoned with in the Heavyweight division.