Exclusive interview with Ricardo Funch
Vitor Targueta – Brasil Combate staff
Undefeated welterweights Ricardo Funch (7-0) and Johny Hendricks are set to debut at UFC 107 on December 12nd 2009. The Brazilian purple belt has been training at Team Link with leader Marco Alvan and famed heavyweight Gabriel Gonzaga. The Golden Boy shared his emotion to fight for the biggest MMA promotion in the world.
“It’s a dream that worked out. I always wanted to prove the taste of stepping in that octagon and breathe the same air that other phenomenon had there. I still have difficult to sleep in the night thinking on what is to come. It’s something that has been processing in my mind slowly as if it hadn’t happened. The Team Link coaches have supported me to get my mind stronger”.
Funch is one among thousands of fighters who started training martial arts inspired by Royce Gracie astonishing performances in the beginning of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, UFC. He looked for jiu-jitsu academies and ran into Marco Alvan with whom he trained a year until debuting at MMA.
The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu purple belt doesn’t mind fighting standing thanks to the hard trainings with ones like Gabriel Gonzaga, former heavyweight contender, the man who has helped Funch the most.
“The guy is a phenomenon. I train with him some times along the week. Gonzaga is a good coach and an exceptional athlete. I’m thankful to him for all the help he has given me in the preparation for this fight” says Funch who trains wrestling and boxing besides BJJ.
Over his opponent, Johny Hendricks, Funch expects to face off him on the ground since this fight is going to be fought by a BJJ and a wrestler who will certainly search for comfortable positions into the match.
“My debut still has been planed out but it won’t have surprises for sure. He’s a wrestler and I am from jiu-jitsu, so don’t get amazed if the fight is decided onto the floor” explains the “Golden Boy”.
The welterweight division has been overwhelmed by the Canadian champion Georges Saint Pierre and Ricardo believes “The Rush” has some more time on the top of the weight class.
“Georges has gone through an incredible phase and won’t miss challengers for him in the category but I think he is going to rule the welterweight class for some more time due his latest performances which were really spectacular”.
Stay tuned for more informations about the Xtreme Fight Championship champion here at www.BRASILCOMBATE.com.br.
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