Baixinho: “I can be among the bests“

By Erik Engelhart

Photo Arthur Jesus

Alexandre “Baixinho” has an idea on his mind: he wants to be back at UFC. The fighter, he even fought on the biggest event of MMA of the world, had closed four fights and, after his loss at his opening, to Martin Kampmann, had his contract rescinded. Baixinho talked with TATAME about this “obsession“, talked about the fights marathon he’s doing around the country, pointed the fighters he admires, commented the main moments of the fight, bet on Shogun against Lyoto, and more.

You’re fighting a lot of events here in Brazil. What do you think you have to do to return to the UFC?

I made a fight on UFC, it’s hard to fight there, my debut was against Martin Kampmann, who was the only one who ever beat Thales Leites. I fought well, but I lost... For an unhappy thing with the manage part I was moved away and that was a promise that if I win three fights in Brazil, I’d be back, so I decided that every event, inside my standards, I’ll take. Shooto, for example, I asked Pederneiras to fight, even the money isn’t what I use to receive, I fought. It’s a big event, gives repercussion inJapan.

I don’t have anything else to prove here in Brazil, I fight MMA for 12 years, everybody knows my potential. I want to concretize my career on UFC. I won’t rest until I put my foot there, the bests of the world are there and I was there, scheduled four fights but did only one. I f I go there and lost a fight, two, then I’ll see it isn’t form e, okay, but I have to test myself and I know I’m capable to be there and win a few fights. I don’t say I’ll be a champion as St. Pierre, but I can be between the bests, I believe that.

Who’s the fighter that you admire on world’s MMA?

I admire Anderson Silva and Minotauro. Anderson is above the average, Minotauro made a big fight and surprised everybody. He was very criticized against Frank Mir, sometimes people talk too much, he had a lot of injuries, wasn’t in good conditions on fight, but proved that this people were wrong, beated Couture and, if you let, he’ll beat Brock Lesnar. St. Pierre is the guy of the welterweight division, he’s my friend, trains with me, with Ximú, with my brother, when he’s in Brazil, he’s always with us. He passes a lot of good stuff for us, he’s perfect.

Vitor Belfort, after this victory against Rich Franklin, most face Anderson Silva or Wanderlei Silva. How do you think it would be those fights?

Against Wanderlei, I’m sure he’ll win again. Against Anderson, I think it isn’t the time yet, besides Vitor have a shiny star. I think he needs a couple of fights more to go well, because if Anderson face Vitor now, I think he can’t handle it.

What did you think about the fight between Cigano and Cro Cop? Did you expect this result?

Cigano have a very heavy hand, I do expected, because Cro Cop is not that same of Pride’s time, and the physical preparation of UFC people is above any event, that I guarantee, because I was there before and is a very strong level. You can analyse the events here in Brazil, the guys are punched, swing, but don’t drop down. On UFC, you hit the first and the guys drop down, the fight ends. Cigano is in this level from outside here and Cro Cop is on decay.... Cigano have a very heavy hand, I do expected.

Minotouro will make his opening on UFC against another Brazilian, Banha. What do you think about this fights between Brazilians that been happening?

UFC have the fighters on its hands, you sign a contract and can’t fight other events, you have to fight when they want to, against who they decide to, and at the same time, they can fire you anytime they want. In my case I signed four fights, I made one, and for a management change I left. Thales disputed the belt, made a boring fight and the guys were upset, then he made a pair with Sakara and they dismissed him. They put you on top then they drop you drown and you don’t even know where you’ll fall, they monopolize a lot, but what you can do? It’s the best event in the world, they’re the bosses. I think it’s going to be a though fight to Minotouro, but his boxing is good, I believe in Minotouro, but I hope that after the fight the both continue on UFC and that they don’t dismiss more Brazilians.

And in the fight between Shogun and Lyoto, who do you bet?

It’s hard, man... If you analyze, we have to give credit to Lyoto because he never lost and he owns the belt, but I believe that in the mix of MMA...I can be wrong, but I bet 55% on Shogun.