Camoes Hopes to Shine in ShoXC
Gleidson Venga Oct 25, 2007
Fabricio Camoes makes
his ShoXC debut Friday against Josh Gaskins (Pictures). A Brazilian jiu-jitsu black
belt, "Morango" gained recognition in Brazil after winning the
Super Challenge title last year. To capture that tournament, he
beat three opponents in the same evening, including the experienced
Jean Silva (Pictures) and Luciano Azevedo (Pictures).
For his upcoming ShoXC bout, Camoes traveled to the United States to train with 2006 BJJ absolute world champion Xande Ribeiro, his brother Saulo Ribeiro (Pictures) and Diego Sanchez (Pictures). Although he hasn't fought in a year, Camoes hopes to ride a four-fight win streak to a successful international debut.
Sherdog.com: Are you excited to return
to the ring?
Fabricio Camoes: I am very happy to make it into an international event. I believe I have already done my work in Brazil. We have been struggling in Brazil for 10 years and 13 fights. I believe that my team will improve much here in America because there are a huge amount of events here, and I am ready for new challenges.
Sherdog.com: How was your training for the fight?
Camoes: The training was excellent. I am very well prepared. I am sure that I can show that my game has evolved very much during that time. Here in America the conditions are excellent, and I have great professionals who gave me all the support necessary for the proper training. I trained boxing and wrestling much here in San Diego, and I could count on the support of friends such as Paulo Guilobel, Rani Yahya (Pictures), Eduardo Telles, Diego Sanchez (Pictures), Xande Ribeiro, among others, without counting the training at the University of Jiu-Jitsu that polished my grappling game.
Camoes: Saulo was my teacher since white belt, so he knows my game as well as anyone. There is nobody better than him to correct my mistakes, and Xande has a very good vision of what is valuable, not to mention that training with a world BJJ absolute champion is a real test. You do not realize how great it is to have those guys coordinating my suffering -- I mean training [Camoes laughs]. Well, I arrived here in August to compete in the world BJJ championship and the training was tough, which helped me a lot, because I believe that the gi training is a great addition to polish technique.
Sherdog.com: What do you think about the structure in the places you have trained?
Camoes: Here in America there is an excellent structure for MMA professionals. I divide my training in two academies. The grappling part I trained at the University of Jiu-Jitsu, which is Saulo and Xande's academy here in San Diego, where I could count on excellent sparring. For boxing and training in the ring I trained at O.C. Dojo, which is located here in San Clement, some 40 minutes from San Diego, and where I could count on the technical Daniel, who is a great boxing coach in addition to organizing my training.
Sherdog.com: Do you know anything about your opponent?
Camoes: Since I came here things have happened, naturally, and my opponent has changed three times. First was Javier Vazquez (Pictures), then Joe Camacho (Pictures) and now this new enemy I do not know, but I am sure that the event sought an opponent that will provide a good fight for the public.
Sherdog.com: And what do you think about previous ProElite events?
Camoes: I think ProElite events are very good, and here in America it is well known due to the transmissions on open TV on Showtime. I think the event has grown a lot and is able to compete with the UFC soon. And they take care of the professionals who are part of the show and use athletes of a very high caliber such as Nick Diaz (Pictures), Robbie Lawler (Pictures), Frank Shamrock (Pictures), among others. They have even just hired Kimbo Slice for the show. Promoters were very happy with me and believe that I should grow along with the event.
Sherdog.com: Why did you stop fighting for a year after you won the Super Challenge? What were you doing during that period?
Camoes: Well, right after the Super Challenge, I had some personal problems -- nothing serious, but it took a little of my focus. Thank God I could keep myself training, and during that time I could help my companions in their training. I was very happy with the progress of everyone, especially Jorge Brito, who is showing a very large development. That proves that our school has much to show yet, and our tree will certainly produce many fruits. Additionally, I am working on a project to build a training structure where I can devote time to train new talent. But during that time I matured much as an athlete and looked for an opportunity to make an international career. My wait was rewarded, thank God, and now I will have that opportunity.
Sherdog.com: Speaking of Super Challenge, that night you won three fights, two of which were against PRIDE veterans. You became the 73-kg champion. What are your memories of that night, and how did you feel with that title?
Camoes: The Super Challenge was the opportunity to show what all of my team already knew: that I should have been fighting at a lower weight because all my previous fights were at 80 kilograms [176 pounds]. The event was a landmark in my career because there I had the opportunity to fight against the best of Brazil [at 158 pounds], and thank God I did all that I had trained. Having the opportunity to test myself with athletes as great as Jean Silva (Pictures) and Luciano Azevedo (Pictures) was great for me, and I have the greatest pride in knowing that they were the best. God was with me, and I did all three fights very well. I hope I can defend my belt soon and have asked Paulo Vasconcelos for an opportunity to fight in the Super Challenger grappling tournament because I think I do pretty well with big guys. After all I am the man of the house [laughs].
Sherdog.com: Diego Sanchez (Pictures) is also training with you. What do you think of his game?
Camoes: Diego is an exceptional guy, super humble and very talented. We became great friends, and I trained with him for his very last fight against Jon Fitch (Pictures) in the UFC. Despite the result he showed a little of his evolution. Saulo did a great job with him, and Diego has a conditioning out of this world, which means that he becomes a dangerous opponent for anyone. I believe that soon he will also be in a fight for that belt because his only losses were challenged, were not unanimous. Beyond having excellent wrestling, he has a natural ability in grappling, which he has been working on with Saulo. And Rob Garcia, who was the coach of Oscar De La Hoya, works his boxing abilities and also helps in my training.
Sherdog.com: In conclusion, what can we expect of your debut in ShoXC?
Camoes: I am very anxious to show what I am training. Evolving a lot, and I want to become a more complete fighter. I am sure it will be a great fight, and as usual we will be there with determination and a great pace. To me, it will be like a new beginning in great style. I want to please the public and the promoters with an excellent presentation. Thank you for the opportunity, a big hug to everybody.
For his upcoming ShoXC bout, Camoes traveled to the United States to train with 2006 BJJ absolute world champion Xande Ribeiro, his brother Saulo Ribeiro (Pictures) and Diego Sanchez (Pictures). Although he hasn't fought in a year, Camoes hopes to ride a four-fight win streak to a successful international debut.
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Fabricio Camoes: I am very happy to make it into an international event. I believe I have already done my work in Brazil. We have been struggling in Brazil for 10 years and 13 fights. I believe that my team will improve much here in America because there are a huge amount of events here, and I am ready for new challenges.
Sherdog.com: How was your training for the fight?
Camoes: The training was excellent. I am very well prepared. I am sure that I can show that my game has evolved very much during that time. Here in America the conditions are excellent, and I have great professionals who gave me all the support necessary for the proper training. I trained boxing and wrestling much here in San Diego, and I could count on the support of friends such as Paulo Guilobel, Rani Yahya (Pictures), Eduardo Telles, Diego Sanchez (Pictures), Xande Ribeiro, among others, without counting the training at the University of Jiu-Jitsu that polished my grappling game.
Sherdog.com: How has your training been
with the Ribeiro brothers at the University of Jiu-Jitsu?
Camoes: Saulo was my teacher since white belt, so he knows my game as well as anyone. There is nobody better than him to correct my mistakes, and Xande has a very good vision of what is valuable, not to mention that training with a world BJJ absolute champion is a real test. You do not realize how great it is to have those guys coordinating my suffering -- I mean training [Camoes laughs]. Well, I arrived here in August to compete in the world BJJ championship and the training was tough, which helped me a lot, because I believe that the gi training is a great addition to polish technique.
Sherdog.com: What do you think about the structure in the places you have trained?
Camoes: Here in America there is an excellent structure for MMA professionals. I divide my training in two academies. The grappling part I trained at the University of Jiu-Jitsu, which is Saulo and Xande's academy here in San Diego, where I could count on excellent sparring. For boxing and training in the ring I trained at O.C. Dojo, which is located here in San Clement, some 40 minutes from San Diego, and where I could count on the technical Daniel, who is a great boxing coach in addition to organizing my training.
Sherdog.com: Do you know anything about your opponent?
Camoes: Since I came here things have happened, naturally, and my opponent has changed three times. First was Javier Vazquez (Pictures), then Joe Camacho (Pictures) and now this new enemy I do not know, but I am sure that the event sought an opponent that will provide a good fight for the public.
Sherdog.com: And what do you think about previous ProElite events?
Camoes: I think ProElite events are very good, and here in America it is well known due to the transmissions on open TV on Showtime. I think the event has grown a lot and is able to compete with the UFC soon. And they take care of the professionals who are part of the show and use athletes of a very high caliber such as Nick Diaz (Pictures), Robbie Lawler (Pictures), Frank Shamrock (Pictures), among others. They have even just hired Kimbo Slice for the show. Promoters were very happy with me and believe that I should grow along with the event.
Sherdog.com: Why did you stop fighting for a year after you won the Super Challenge? What were you doing during that period?
Camoes: Well, right after the Super Challenge, I had some personal problems -- nothing serious, but it took a little of my focus. Thank God I could keep myself training, and during that time I could help my companions in their training. I was very happy with the progress of everyone, especially Jorge Brito, who is showing a very large development. That proves that our school has much to show yet, and our tree will certainly produce many fruits. Additionally, I am working on a project to build a training structure where I can devote time to train new talent. But during that time I matured much as an athlete and looked for an opportunity to make an international career. My wait was rewarded, thank God, and now I will have that opportunity.
Sherdog.com: Speaking of Super Challenge, that night you won three fights, two of which were against PRIDE veterans. You became the 73-kg champion. What are your memories of that night, and how did you feel with that title?
Camoes: The Super Challenge was the opportunity to show what all of my team already knew: that I should have been fighting at a lower weight because all my previous fights were at 80 kilograms [176 pounds]. The event was a landmark in my career because there I had the opportunity to fight against the best of Brazil [at 158 pounds], and thank God I did all that I had trained. Having the opportunity to test myself with athletes as great as Jean Silva (Pictures) and Luciano Azevedo (Pictures) was great for me, and I have the greatest pride in knowing that they were the best. God was with me, and I did all three fights very well. I hope I can defend my belt soon and have asked Paulo Vasconcelos for an opportunity to fight in the Super Challenger grappling tournament because I think I do pretty well with big guys. After all I am the man of the house [laughs].
Sherdog.com: Diego Sanchez (Pictures) is also training with you. What do you think of his game?
Camoes: Diego is an exceptional guy, super humble and very talented. We became great friends, and I trained with him for his very last fight against Jon Fitch (Pictures) in the UFC. Despite the result he showed a little of his evolution. Saulo did a great job with him, and Diego has a conditioning out of this world, which means that he becomes a dangerous opponent for anyone. I believe that soon he will also be in a fight for that belt because his only losses were challenged, were not unanimous. Beyond having excellent wrestling, he has a natural ability in grappling, which he has been working on with Saulo. And Rob Garcia, who was the coach of Oscar De La Hoya, works his boxing abilities and also helps in my training.
Sherdog.com: In conclusion, what can we expect of your debut in ShoXC?
Camoes: I am very anxious to show what I am training. Evolving a lot, and I want to become a more complete fighter. I am sure it will be a great fight, and as usual we will be there with determination and a great pace. To me, it will be like a new beginning in great style. I want to please the public and the promoters with an excellent presentation. Thank you for the opportunity, a big hug to everybody.
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