DRAC'S FORUM

Belo Horizonte (city in Minas Gerais) is known throughout martial arts for turning out some big names in Jiu-Jitsu. Proof of this is the third Brazilian team championship won by Minas Gerais, an unprecedented feat for a state outside of the Rio-São Paulo hub. "The team brought up by Vinícius Draculino is one of the best in the world. He's trained more than 100 black belts", praised Cláudio Cardoso, better known as Caloquinha. Having trained Jiu-Jitsu for 12 years, in 2004 he debuted in MMA, a sport that's beginning to solidify it's place in Belo Horizonte.

Erik Wanderley

"Despite the fact that Rio and São have more structure, events and media attention, Minas has a fantastic group of people. What we're still missing here is a little support", affirms Caloquinha, who will turn his focus back on MMA later this year. Before that, he will participate in the World Abu Dhabi Pro, a professional Jiu-Jitsu world championship.

Vinícius Draculino is a big name when talking about fighting in Belo Horizonte. The absolute master when it comes to Jiu-Jitsu and coach of MMA fighters, he's had such success with the team that he formed there, that he was invited to open his own academy in Houston. For two years he's lived there. "Genuinely speaking, ninety percent of those who've had international recognition have passed through my hands or my instructors'", he affirms.

One of Draculino's students with international recognition, Cristiano Titi participated in the first big MMA event in Belo Horizonte, Brasil Fight, which took place last month and brought together more than 4 thousand people in the Chevrolet Hall. In the closing fight, Titi submitted the only foreigner in the competition, the North American Rico Washington. "A few months before Brazil Fight, I started leading the MMA training in an academy in Belo Horizonte, with the help of one sponsorship. After the event, the number of those interested rose a lot", he says. Among his titles are 2x Mundial, 3x Brazilian national, and 4x Pan-Am, all of them wearing the gi. Rico's trainer, the Brazilian Sérgio Cunha, commended "When it comes to MMA in Brazil, Minas Gerais is at the top."

One of the strong points of Minas' capital Titi pointed out is the captive audience. "The event in March showed that there are a lot of people interested. Today, MMA is one of the fasting growing sports and is getting more and more well recognition", he stresses. The competition used a format that distinguished the states Minas and Rio, which stirred up the rivalry and intensified the public interest.

In the interstate challenge, the Belo Horizonte native Erik Wanderley beat the fighter from Rio, Johnny Cyborg, and made the crowd go wild. Erik trained in several different martial arts until he began his MMA training in 2003. In 1987, at 10 years old, he began training Judo. Later he did Karate, Capoeira, Muay Thai and specialized in Jiu-Jitsu. Like the majority of professional fighters, he divides his routine between training and competitions, in addition to teaching class. "Living solely off of Jiu-Jitsu doesn't make much money. I decided to dedicate myself to working on stand-up (Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Boxing), since my ground game is sharp.

He points to Joaquim Mamute and César Mutante as other big names of the sport in Belo Horizonte. "With fighters like them, there's no doubt that MMA will grow in Belo Horizonte", he predicts. Another MMA competitor, Gustavo Coelho, adds "We have a lot of good guys in Minas that aren't very well known, but it's just a matter of time, because [Belo Horizonte] is starting to make a name for itself".

Like Erik, all of the fighters specializing in Jiu-Jitsu hold their strengths in their ground game. To do well in MMA, balancing their skills with handwork is essential. One of the styles used in practice is Boxing. "In a fight between Jiu-Jitsu fighters, the fight could possibly be determined by their stand-up skills, which makes the difference", explains Cláudio Simão, Brazilian Boxing champion in 1991 and South American champion in 1994, and MMA trainer.

Cristiano "Titi" Lazzarini

The first Brazilian to go to Thailand to train in Muay Thai lives in Nova Lima and goes by the name Olímpio Fernandes Jr., World Champion in 1995. In his return to Brazil, Olímpio was met with the boom of MMA, propelled by the Gracie family. Having taught since 1988, he was fundamental for the development of new athletes. "Titi and Erik Wanderley were my students long before they went to MMA. Years later, I joined up with Draculino to train MMA fighters. While he taught ground fighting, I guided the stand-up, to give more balance the athletes", he recalls.

Fights that take place inside the octagon - a ring with eight sides, characteristic of MMA - are the focus of the competitors. But, more than just a profession and a quest for results, fighting is a lifestyle. "If a guy wants to be champion he has to sacrifice a lot. A careful diet, physical preparation, rest and training are essential for progression in the sport", Caloquinha stresses. "Everything I have today was earned with Martial Arts", says Coelho, referring to material goods and professional accomplishments, even to stories of friendship - like the fact that during the previous Carnaval one of the regulars at his academy had scrapped plans to travel in order to help him in preparation for the Minas/Rio challenge.

For those with Martial Arts in their blood, the routine is very similar. "There are days that we're at the academy from 7 am to 10 pm training and teaching class. There, a real family is formed. I'm friends with several fighters and on some occasions we help our buddies in their preparation, which starts from two to three months before their fight", Coelho says.

The first major event to take place in the city already predicts two more competitions yet this year - on July 31st and November 6th, according to the organization Brazil Fight. Draculino is hoping to see this happen, "Quality events bring tourists, commission, and an international name to the city. Brazil Fight was broadcast through the internet to the whole world. I got e-mails from people in America, Canada, Poland, Japan and Holland, all congratulating the technical level of the fighters", he says.

Olímpio Fernandes Jr. ponders: "The scene is promising. Belo Horizonte has faithful fans to watch and participate. My only fear is becoming commonplace, if they have several continuous events. MMA must be kept alive and have investment as support, like the way it is in the United States", he concludes.

Not in the street

Regarding those notorious street fights, MMA fighters are emphatic. "That doesn't happen any more. I believe that it's the attitude of someone with a weak mind and needs to show something off to others outside of the academies. If a guy is truly good, he wont have this type of conduct", says Caloquinha, two-time Jiu-Jitsu world champion, in 2004 and 2009. Another detail described by the professionals is the professors' conduct, who end up influencing their students, in a sort of mirror. "If the professor is irresponsible and gives off the wrong impression to the students, the chance of that student fighting in the street is greater", Titi warns.

Edson Jorge, also known as Sururu, agrees with his teammates. "Professional fighters are much calmer. Normally, those who fight in the street are people just entering the sport and still feel insecure. Even I've fought on the streets, but that's over with", he comments.

there you go! the whole article 

Last edited by tartaruga (2010-05-03 20:04:31)

Thank you very much!  You did a much better job than Google Translate. 

Thank you!  May your enemies drown in the urine of a thousand camels!!!!