(From O Tatame magazine, translated by myself)
What was the repercussion of your win over "Tank" Abbott in UFC 13?
I am impressed with the repercussion of it. "Tank" is respected there, and had never lost in a fight like this so fast. The audience of the event was really very large.What really happened for you to challenge Hélio Gracie's sons?
He challenged me first in the "Jornal dos Sports", saying I wasn't competent enough to be champion because I only won playing dirty and that he had 5 sons to beat me. I have nothing personal against him, but if he wants to challenge me he will have to prove himself. He messed with the snake's nest. Now we'll see which is the worst "bite", I already have someone who will come up with a $300,000 purse.As soon as you arrived in the US you spent some time with Rickson. Did you get to train with him?
At the time I was 17 years old and went there to meet him. He treated me really well, but our training only consisted of moves, very specific.Do you think he would have chances if he fought in an UFC today?
I don't think he is in the same level as an UFC champion. For this he'd have to go through good fighters, to fight a champion.The fighters he fought in Japan weren't in a high level?
It was the same kind of fight Wallid (Ismail) fought. Just watch the videos and you'll see that the guys are fat, and aren't in the same level as UFC fighters.You've already trained with Royce (Gracie). How as it?
Yes I trained, found him normal, as good as the people here; fighting, he has a more defensive game, typical for a lighter guy.If you had to choose someone to fight, who would it be?
I have no personal will to fight anybody. I fight for money. For someone to fight me today there has to be money or he has to be someone good.Are you in favour of Jiu-Jitsu fighters fighting each other?
Obviously the ideal would be for there not to be a fight, but if there is a lot of money involved, it's unavoidable. I don't feel like fighting any Jiu-Jitsu fighter, but if I am being paid well I don't pick my opponent. In the meantime I don't see any Jiu-Jitsu champion in the UFC. That's why I only think of fighting wrestlers.If Carlão (Barreto) wins the next he'll be in the top class. Would you fight him?
No, because we are fighters from the same team.What is your purse today?
$70,000 to step in the ring.By the way, when are you fighting (Mark) Coleman?
I should fight Don Frye in September and Mark Coleman in December.What's the difference in weight between you and Coleman, and how do you plan to stop him?
10-15 kg. With my skill, which you'll see in the ring at the right time.What did you think of the Brazil Open Fight, in São Paulo (Brazil)?
I found the organization bad, the event terrible, anti-professional.What about your fight with (Marco) Ruas?
Zé Moraes wants it to take place in August, launching a challenge to Ruas or to Hugo (Duarte).A superfight between Renzo Gracie and Mark Coleman was announced for the next Brazil Open Fight. What are Renzo's chances?
He shouldn't take the risk. I consider Renzo very skilled and a great fighter, within his weight, but giving up 30 kg is crazy.What was in your opinion, (Kevin) Randleman's mistake against Tom Erikson?
Randleman screwed up, leaving his face against Erikson's chest, who only had to push him and hit him with a hook.Do you see anyone in Brazil with any chances of winning the UFC?
There are great fighters in Brazil, but no one who really impresses me. The only ones who have impressed me so far have been the wrestlers. Their game is very aggresive and dangerous in NHB.Is it true that you and Coleman got together and decided you were only going to fight each other for a purse of $1 million?
We are talking about this. The same way in which we depend on the promoters, they also depend on us. That's why we'll battle for a fair purse - $500, 000 to step in the ring and an additional $500,000 for the winner. NHB is not a fight, and yes a sport. Outside the ring, I get along well with Coleman.Who is the best today?
It's hard to say who's the best because I believe I can beat anybody. In the meantime he is the best, because he is the champion of the best event in the world.How would the much awaited fight between you and Coleman be?
I'd knock him out (Laughs).What if he takes you down?
A weapon which shoots down can shoot up as well.The weight difference between both of you isn't much of a factor. Do plan on gaining weight till the end of the year?
I plan on maintaining my current weight, 100 kg. I think the difference in weight (16 kg) could make a differece in some positions, but I don't plan on letting him obtain them. Each one has his strength, just like how the lion is different from the elephant.Have you ever trained with a top-level wrestler?
I've already trained with a guy called Sylvester who was the only American considered to have what it takes to beat the Russian (Alexander) Karelin, but he dropped Wrestling and became an artist. He weighed 135 kg and went to the academy to train. I tapped him out 3 times.What about your plans for representing Brazil in boxing in the year 2000 Olympics?
Standing up, it is one of my main goals, and I am coming along.Is it true that Dan King called you to fight Boxing?
No. Who called me was (Evander) Holyfield's manager. The UFC is a fever in the US. Mike Tyson in called John Peeters (Vitor's manager) congratulating me for my win in the UFC.How many times a week do you train Boxing and Jiu-Jitsu?
3-4 times a week each.Have you ever been knocked out in Boxing practice?
Yes, by a big guy named Lion Phillips (120 kg). He's the world champion in one of these associations. He knocked me down in the 4th round, but I also nearly knocked him down in the 2nd.Al Stankie, what are your plans for applying Vitor into the Olympics?
Stankie - I believe that in the year 2000 he will be in condition to bring back the gold for Brazil. All we need to do is start training in real boxing. In November there will be a big Boxing event as a tribute to Muhammad Ali's 50 years. 14 countries will take part in this event. I want to observe Vitor in the ring under Boxing rules, see how he does in 3, 3-minute rounds. He needs to have experience in amateur events before taking part in the Olympics. From what I've seeb in the academy, I think he has excellent chances. As an NHB fighter, I think it will be a while before someone beats him. He is the most complete fighter out of all which I've seen.