Michael Bisping (left) and Ricardo Abreu (right). Publicity photo.
Decorated Jiu-Jitsu ace Ricardo “Demente” Abreu has one mission before next week: to train Vitor Belfort’s opponent, Michael Bisping, for their encounter at UFC on FX 7. A native of the state hosting the event and former Jiu-Jitsu world champion, Demente is sharing his knowledge with the onetime winner of the The Ultimate Fighter reality show.
Recently, Abreu addressed his training with Bisping, saying it has been a great experience.
“It’s been great to be part of his preparations, to be involved with every moment of it,” Demente said through a press release. “To me it’s a great pleasure and wonderful experience to be part of his training routine and to contribute what I know to his preparations, as well as to have my work recognized like this.”
When asked what aspects of Jiu-Jitsu may make a difference for the Englishman, Demente was emphatic, saying ground work is essential in this battle.
“I feel it will be one of the important options for the fight, given how Vitor has good Jiu-Jitsu himself,” he said. “I feel it will be a really lively fight on the ground. We’re training really hard, focusing a lot on defense and the guard, since Bisping is a good wrestler and we want to stay on top. Vitor’s a tricky opponent.”
As for Bisping, he praised the Brazilian black belt and thanked him for his support.
“Ricardo Abreu is fantastic and helping me every day,” Bisping said in the release. “I’m learning a lot from him and am thankful to him, as I am to all my trainers. I’m anxious to get in there, fight, get the win and then face Anderson Silva. We’re doing all we can to be able to win, training hard with the many people around me.”
Belfort and Bisping are headlining the card for UFC on FX 7, which takes place at Ginasio do Ibirapuera in São Paulo, Brazil, on Jan. 19. The card also features former Ultimate Fighter: Brazil contestant Daniel Sarafian against another TUF alumni C.B. Dollaway, and Gabriel Gonzaga taking on Ben Rothwell.
UFC on FX 7
Ginásio do Ibirapuera, São Paulo, Brazil
January 19, 2013
- Vitor Belfort vs. Michael Bisping
- Daniel Sarafian vs. C.B. Dollaway
- Gabriel Napão vs. Ben Rothwell
- Thiago Tavares vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov
- Godofredo Pepey vs. Miltinho Vieira
- Ronny Markes vs. Andrew Craig
- Diego Nunes vs. Nik Lentz
- Edson Barboza vs. Lucas Mineiro
- Yuri Alcantara vs. Pedro Nobre
- Wagner Prado vs. Ildemar Alcantara
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