Paulo Filho Interview

Brazilian Paulo Filho's career has changed drastically after his American venture as the WEC middleweight champion.  Sluggish and uninspiring performances were chalked up to depression and severe motivational issues after Filho lagged badly against Chael Sonnen, and Filho was forced to bear his first professional loss and resign the championship belt in what served as the disappointing culmination of his stateside stint.

Although rebounding with wins over Manhoef in DREAM and Schoenauer in Bitteti Combat, neither performance was received as rousing.  Filho took a beating on the feet from Manhoef before coaxing him into an armbar, and shades of the second Sonnen fight surfaced after he lost his wind way too early in the Schoenauer scrap.

Tatame interviewed Filho and asked some rather poignant questions, and he provided some interesting answers. 

"Sokoudjou is extremely dangerous, he has really heavy hands and that’s more than proved, but Mousasi is a great athlete. I think Sokoudjou is more healthy. I think (Renato) Babalu was out of parameter, he’s a high level fighter, but he was a bit nervous, unfocused, something happened and he didn’t give his best. I think Babalu, well prepared, would kick Mousasi’s ass. Mousasi will be as good as people think he is, but it will take some time. He’s young, immature and too much confident. Sokoudjou can hit one and he'll go down."

"I wasn’t very focused, excited. It’s not about Japan or United States, it was a moment on my life when I wasn’t applied to the training as I should. I think I’m independent of their opinion, mine’s is more important. I know that when I’m prepared I’m tough, my record is 18-1, I don’t have to prove anything to anybody. I know that, when I’m trained, I’m a trouble to anyone. The thing is to have the head on the place and do my work."

"Undoubtedly, it’s really hard, this division is very tough. UFC is a big event, but Americans do what they can for you can’t apply your technique. They match incompatible games, preferably with whoever they want, everything to take you down. American is American, they want Americans with the belt and eliminate the Brazilians, but they’ll have to work hard because we’re the best."