Son of the legendary King Zulú, Zuluzinho has not had a great time in Japan. If in Brazil he displays a marvelous record with more than 30 fights and no losses, in Japan the story is a very different one. At the Pride Absolute GP Open Weight, held at the Osaka Dome, in Japan on May 5, Zuluzinho did not last three full minutes with BJJ specialist and former Pride heavyweight champion Rodrigo Nogueira Minotauro.

Son of the legendary King Zulú, Zuluzinho has not had a great time in Japan. If in Brazil he displays a marvelous record with more than 30 fights and no losses, in Japan the story is a very different one. At the Pride Absolute GP Open Weight, held at the Osaka Dome, in Japan on May 5, Zuluzinho did not last three full minutes with BJJ specialist and former Pride heavyweight champion Rodrigo Nogueira Minotauro. After getting taken down, Zuluzinho allowed Nogueira to sweep and mount him. From that position, Zuluzinho was punished with punches until he had his arm caught in a classic armbar submission courtesy of Nogueira. MMA Ring Report interviewed Zuluzinho after the show, at the Mitsui Hotel and the Brazilian giant gave his opinion on the fight and his plans for the future.

MMA Ring Report - So, differently from your fight against Emmelianenko Fedor, you showed some Boxing in the beginning of the fight with Rodrigo Minotauro…

Zuluzinho - Yes. My goal was KOing in the beginning of the fight. I knew I had a tough opponent in front of me and I needed to be fast and precise. I applied good moves and I know I surprised him. I remember throwing a left straight punch, which hit him, but Minotauro is very strong and absorbed it. I just did that because I know he is much more dangerous on the ground… well, he took me down, swept me and the rest is history.

MMA Ring Report - It’s your second fight at Pride and you’ve faced two of the most feared men of the event. How do you feel about it?

Zuluzinho - I have to say it’s very good for me. Everybody I know would be scared to fight Fedor and Rodrigo Nogueira. To be honest, I don’t believe a man would accept doing this fight in the same situation I accepted. I did accept to fight Nogueira and only had a week to get ready. I know I could do better at the ring, but I didn’t have a chance to trace the best strategy to defeat him. But I believe Minotauro got lucky and I want revenge. I also hope to return to Pride and show more of my game. All my fights were tough, but ended in the first round.

MMA Ring Report - So, you are saying you want to fight Minotauro again?

Zuluzinho - Yes. I heard rumors in Japan that people are talking about a new match between us. At this time will be different.

MMA Ring Report - Who are the favorite fights to win pride Open Weight title?

Zuluzinho - In my opinion, the title must be conquered by the champion Emmeliankeno Fedor or Mark Hunt. The first one is the champion and the second one, Hunt, has a great possibility to win also. He showed having a big heart when defeated Tsuyoshi Kohsaka. Among Brazilians, I think BJJ black belt Fabricio Werdum has more chances. He did a great bout against Alistair Overeem and even being defeated in the first round, he got recovered and submitted the Dutch fighter in the second round. But to be honest, I have serious doubts if Rodrigo Minotauro will reach the finals. He didn’t show it all to me. The submission was a luck movement. I still didn’t digest that loss!