Caio Terra with Alexis Davis. Photo: Personal Archive
A big fight to watch on UFC 175 on July 5 in Las Vegas, NV is the match-up between champion Ronda Rousey and BJJ black belt Alexis Davis.
The Jiu-Jitsu coach for Davis is none other than Caio Terra who also recently coached Carlos Condit and is becoming a go-to Jiu-Jitsu instructor for top MMA athletes.
Here we spoke to Caio about what he things will beat the undefeated Ronda Rousey and what Davis has been working on in training:
GRACIEMAG: Caio, having trained and been around some of the top MMA guys in the world, how do you feel Alexis will do in her fight with Ronda?
CAIO TERRA: I believe a lot in Alexis, Ronda is a tough fight for anyone but I feel that our game plan and strategy will prevail. Alexis works hard, has made a lot of improvement in a short amount of time and I think if we stick to the plan good things will happen.
You talk about strategy, Ronda has some of the best Judo in the world, how are you guys planning on dealing with her stand up?
You can’t stop someone like Ronda from taking you down, and if your goal is to take her down you’re probably going to have a very bad day. If you could take Ronda down you probably belong in the Olympics! Ronda has trained her entire life in judo (takedowns). With that said that’s the beauty of Jiu-Jitsu, whether you take the person down or they take you down you are right where you want to be!
So you are not that concerned with the takedown, you have to be worried about the arm bar. Of her fights she finished all but her last fight via arm bar, do you have some strategy to prevent her from finishing Alexis the same way?
Hahaha that is for us to know and for everyone to find out. There is no secret, Ronda likes the arm bar, but when it comes to Jiu-Jitsu I feel the best way to beat it is with Jiu-Jitsu. I feel we are prepared but we will have to see.
This is the second UFC title contender you are coaching in a year. Do you see yourself transitioning to an MMA coach?
I love Jiu-Jitsu and Jiu-Jitsu for me will always be my love. It has changed my life in ways I never thought possible. I recently discovered that as much as I like to compete I like to coach. Coaching gives me the ability to help others reach their dreams and to be along with their journey is amazing. As long as Jiu-Jitsu is a part of MMA I think I will always be around MMA guys at some capacity. Make no mistake though Jiu-Jitsu will always be my passion.
