Tatame Interviews Raphael Assuncao

Raphael Assuncaois a Brazilian fighter that trains out of Atlanta, Georgia. Assuncao is on a six fight win streak and has his sights set on his next target. Urijah Faber. This is possibly the toughest opponet Assuncao has faced in his career. The fight will take place in Sacramento, California on WEC 46. You can read the full interview here.

Where are you training? Who are your teammates?

 

For now, I'm training here in Atlanta with my brothers Junior and Freddy, Jucão, brothers Douglas and Diego Lima, but maybe I will go to a new camp ... Although we decide this.

You'll fight with Faber, a former champion of the category that was once considered one of the best weight by weight of the world. What is your expectation for the fight?

 

The expectation is always positive, it is very good at all, with a range of weapons, but I give a good pace of attacks threatening, with a good gas, and see how the battle will flow.

Do you think it will be his toughest opponent to date? Comment on his game and what strategy you intend to apply in this fight.

 

Maybe the athlete will face harder than previously ... He has a good game, but I think I've fought with athletes stronger than him, with a jiu-jitsu better than him ... I have faced with better athletes MuayThai Boxing and he has, but what makes it dangerous is how he achieves his techniques. The strategy will exploit their mistakes and gaps.

Brazil is growing in weight, with you and Jose Aldo. How do you see that?

 

Is, Brazil is growing in this category ... Jose Aldo was not mentioned, his campaign is very good. I have faced and overcome elite athletes of different styles, experienced, but thank God we are on top of that category.

He will compete for the belt now with Mike Brown. How do you think will be this fight? Who do you bet?

 

I do not know who would bet ... The title fight will be the punishment a tough fight, as everyone knows. Until then I think that if the two athletes are 100% prepared and focused ser'auma dispute type "fifty fifty", 50% for each.

What are your plans for the future? You think of weight up and go to the UFC?

 

Up to 70kg category in the UFC is definitely not in my plans, because of my size and physical structure. My weight on a daily basis is about 72kg. I've fought up to 70kg at the beginning of my career, because they rarely have fights 65kg at the time and yet, when rolled, the stock was very low. These struggles, in fact, were against very good players, hard and strong, much bigger than me, but thank God I could win these battles.