realkaps
09-14-2004, 03:31 PM
From Tatame...
Hermes França
By Eduardo Ferreira
New home, new life
After spending four years in Unites States, Hermes França is back in Brazil and now adds one of the main teams in the world: the Brazilian Top Team. First athlete to represent American Top Team in MMA tournaments, Hermes left the team due to some personal issues with a team manager. Check out now an exclusive with França, while he was training at BTT headquarter in Rio de Janeiro. Know about his home changing, his experience as a fighter and his plans for future.
How long have you been in Brazil?
I have been training at Brazilian Top Team for two weeks and I have been having the time of my life.
Tell me about BBT reception for your arrival.
Dude, it seems like I was at home. In fact I felt like home. But even before moving to BTT I had a little talk with Rodrigo Nogueira Minotauro, Minotouro, Murilo and they supported me a lot.
Tell me how did you begin to fight?
I started with Jiu-Jitsu in Fortaleza, with Marcos Aurélio. I reached the brown belt and the I had a chance to live in US and also work. I worked washing cars, painter... I used to do everything in there and twice a week, I used to train at Rodrigo Minotauro's academy in there.
And how did you meet Minotauro?
I used to live with Edson Diniz, and he already knew Minotauro. Once he took me there to train and then Rodrigo went out of business. So I had to train with Edson. In November of 2000, I fought a BJJ tournament in Florida and ruled weight and open class categories as brown belt. That was when the invitation to train at Silveira Brothers came out. So I met Marcelo Silveira and Marcus Conan
But at this time, what was your connection with Vale-Tudo?
I did not have a connection with Vale-Tudo by this time. I was working and I was training..., so an invitation to face Mark Brown at Hook n' Shoot popped up in December of 2001 and I didn't deny it. I've never fought Vale-Tudo before, but I ended winning. On my second fight, I got a sponsorship to dedicate myself to train and over the third fight I was already an American Top team member. By this time, Ricardo Libório was hired and other teachers came out as Boxing and Wrestling. I was the first athlete to represent ATT in Vale-Tudo.
And then the UFC doors got opened for you?
By this time I was invited to fight at UFC and I conquered respect from the attendance. In fact they don't care if you win or lose. If they like you, they ask for you on the show. My deal with UFC has never be more than a single fight.
How long have you defended America Top Team? And why did you leave?
I belonged to ATT for three years and I had to leave because I had a personal issue with Marcelo Silveira, one of the Team leaders.
The new home may change your plans at UFC..., I mean, about running after the title?
I am not concerned with it. I am focused to fight at Euphoria, which will joint together the very best eight fighters in a GP. The first phase will be on October 15 and the final phase will be held on next February 26.
Hermes França
By Eduardo Ferreira
New home, new life
After spending four years in Unites States, Hermes França is back in Brazil and now adds one of the main teams in the world: the Brazilian Top Team. First athlete to represent American Top Team in MMA tournaments, Hermes left the team due to some personal issues with a team manager. Check out now an exclusive with França, while he was training at BTT headquarter in Rio de Janeiro. Know about his home changing, his experience as a fighter and his plans for future.
How long have you been in Brazil?
I have been training at Brazilian Top Team for two weeks and I have been having the time of my life.
Tell me about BBT reception for your arrival.
Dude, it seems like I was at home. In fact I felt like home. But even before moving to BTT I had a little talk with Rodrigo Nogueira Minotauro, Minotouro, Murilo and they supported me a lot.
Tell me how did you begin to fight?
I started with Jiu-Jitsu in Fortaleza, with Marcos Aurélio. I reached the brown belt and the I had a chance to live in US and also work. I worked washing cars, painter... I used to do everything in there and twice a week, I used to train at Rodrigo Minotauro's academy in there.
And how did you meet Minotauro?
I used to live with Edson Diniz, and he already knew Minotauro. Once he took me there to train and then Rodrigo went out of business. So I had to train with Edson. In November of 2000, I fought a BJJ tournament in Florida and ruled weight and open class categories as brown belt. That was when the invitation to train at Silveira Brothers came out. So I met Marcelo Silveira and Marcus Conan
But at this time, what was your connection with Vale-Tudo?
I did not have a connection with Vale-Tudo by this time. I was working and I was training..., so an invitation to face Mark Brown at Hook n' Shoot popped up in December of 2001 and I didn't deny it. I've never fought Vale-Tudo before, but I ended winning. On my second fight, I got a sponsorship to dedicate myself to train and over the third fight I was already an American Top team member. By this time, Ricardo Libório was hired and other teachers came out as Boxing and Wrestling. I was the first athlete to represent ATT in Vale-Tudo.
And then the UFC doors got opened for you?
By this time I was invited to fight at UFC and I conquered respect from the attendance. In fact they don't care if you win or lose. If they like you, they ask for you on the show. My deal with UFC has never be more than a single fight.
How long have you defended America Top Team? And why did you leave?
I belonged to ATT for three years and I had to leave because I had a personal issue with Marcelo Silveira, one of the Team leaders.
The new home may change your plans at UFC..., I mean, about running after the title?
I am not concerned with it. I am focused to fight at Euphoria, which will joint together the very best eight fighters in a GP. The first phase will be on October 15 and the final phase will be held on next February 26.