By Marcelo Barone of Tatame
Photo Guilherme Cruz
There’s nothing better than a two-time absolute world champion to sharpen your ground game. Owner of this title, the veteran Amaury Bitetti has been helping on the Jiu-Jitsu trainings of Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira for his bout against Brendan Schaub, in August 27th, when there’ll be UFC Rio. On an exclusive chat with TATAME’s crew, the BJJ black belt told us how is going on the work he’s been doing with the heavyweight fighter.
“He came from many injuries, but it’s all good now. We’re here just to correct some things about his game that weren’t that perfect, fixing it so that he doesn’t loses positions, in case the bout goes to the ground, so that it won’t come up again. He’s fast and on a good weight for training and don’t letting his opponent escape from the positions he fits”, said Bitetti, who then said:
“The truth is that the fight starts with both athletes standing up. He has to sharpen his Boxing, be fast and strong so that he makes the guy feel the weight of his hand and he can get closer to him. Nogueira will be tough, punch hard, because he also trains it with (Luis Carlos) Dorea, and there’s also (Josuel) Distak, who is great on Boxing too. If they start grabbing each other, that’s Jiu-Jitsu, and then it’ll be dominated and even if he can’t take his opponent down, he’ll be able to try to sweep, go to his back, own the advantage, don’t miss the mount and beat him up, always looking for the submission”.
Amaury, who’s currently the producer of Bitetti Combat, analyzed Nogueira’s bout against Schaub, former football player, and the first fight of the Brazilian after a long period when he didn’t fought due to the surgeries he has to go through.
“I hope it’s a tough bout. His opponent will try to take him down because he’s good in Wrestling, but Minotauro is doing just fine, surrounded by good sparring at X-Gym. There also Anderson (Silva), (Rafael) Feijao and (Ronaldo) Jacare there to help him. Rodrigo has everything that it takes to win this bout and, with two more wins, maybe he can get a chance at the title. It’s now or never. So he has to focus, only think about this guy (Schaub), go through this phase and then start thinking about the belt. Let’s wait and see if he gets there and really do it, do a good turn up. Let’s help him to make it happens”, said.