Lucio Linhares: “It’s just another bout with a taste of revenge”

At 35 years of age, time is not on the side of Lucio Linhares’ dream of replicating his reputation as one of the BJJ’s top world class competitors into the same level of stature in MMA. However, talent is on his side. One of the M-1 Challenge’s best pound-for-pound fighters, Linhares’ ever-improving standout has allowed him to improve his overall record to 13-4.

A Brazilian native who now finds himself living and training in Finland, Linhares is easily one of the best fighters you’ve never heard of. But that was all supposed to change when Linhares was announced in June as having been added to Affliction’s Aug. 1 “Trilogy” event in an anticipated M-1 rematch vs. Mikhail Zayats.

It had been the opportunity he had been yearning for, as Linhares did not keep his desire of competing on a major show in the U.S. a secret from anyone. However, those dreams were crushed when Affliction canceled “Trilogy” but were soon restored after M-1 officials decided to add Linhares vs. Zayats II to its lineup for “HDNET FIGHTS PRESENTS M-1 BREAKTHROUGH.”

Emanating this Friday from the Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas (broadcast starts 10 p.m. ET on HDNet with tickets still on sale at all Ticketmaster locations), Linhares has his sights on avenging his controversial June of 2008 loss to Zayats that some feel never shouldn’t have been announced as a defeat in the first place.

M-1Global.com recently had an opportunity to speak with Linhares.

M-1Global.com: How are your preparations for the bout? Do you feel like you’re 100% ready?

Lucio Linhares: My preparation is great, my conditioning coach Gustavo Carvalho let me how, we say in Brazil “na ponta dos cascos.” It is a hard translation but means that I am ready (smiles).

M-1Global.com: Where and with whom did you prepare for this bout?

Lucio Linhares: With my teammates back in Brazil, my jiu-jitsu master Eduardo Jamelão and his best students.

M-1Global.com: It’s obvious that your striking skills have dramatically improved within the last few months. Do you still work more on it or do you concentrate on your jiu-jitsu skills right now?

Lucio Linhares: MMA has evolved a lot; you’ve got to work on everything but of course jiu-jitsu is my prerogative.

M-1Global.com: Have you already gotten over the disappointment you felt when you heard that the Affliction event was canceled?

Lucio Linhares: Yes, this kind of things happens. I am very glad to work with the M-1 because right away they found a solution and took care of me.

M-1Global.com: Is it hard physically and mentally to prepare for the same bout and get in a best shape twice in one month?

Lucio Linhares: Yes a bit, after the first time I had a little bit of a flu because of over-training but i got some rest and could start again.

M-1Global.com: Have you made some changes in you trainings comparing with your training camp in July?

Lucio Linhares: Well in Finland it is easier to find people to spar under MMA rules. In my gym in Brazil, there are not so many people preparing for the fights right now so I had to train the aspects separately and put them all together in the end.

M-1Global.com: Is this fight against Zayats something personal to you or is it just a regular bout like others?

Lucio Linhares: It is just another bout with the taste of revenge, but I don’t put any anger or anything like that when I am inside the ring, I am a professional.

M-1Global.com: Competing for two seasons for Team Finland in M-1 Challenge, is it easier now to fight in a single bout on M-1 Breakthrough only for your own reputation, without any responsibility for team’s results?

Lucio Linhares: When I am in the ring I don’t think about that. I always try my best regardless if I fight for Finland or for myself.

M-1Global.com: How badly were you disappointed when you knew that Team Finland was only one win away from advancing to the M-1 Challenge semifinals this season?

Lucio Linhares: Wow, it was so close. It won’t be this time that we will shock the world but there is always a next season and we proved that we are there to fight.

M-1Global.com: Do you think Finland deserved the first place in group C more than USA East?

Lucio Linhares: Well, we did pretty well but in the end it came down to a point (or if I understood correctly it was a draw but because they were victorious against us they got the slot). What is fair is fair (and) they did very well.

M-1Global.com: Which team of four semifinalists do you consider as a favorite of this season?

Lucio Linhares: England will win for sure, although it will not be easy.

M-1Global.com: There is a rumor saying that the new formula of the tournament may be used in the next season of M-1 Challenge tournaments: no group stages, just play-off from start to finish, winner advances to the next stage, loser goes home, every bout can be the last for every team regardless of their achievements and titles. How do you like it? How does it suit Team Finland and you personally?

Lucio Linhares: I think that will give an edge to the fighter, it will be life or death every match and a lot more pressure on the fighters’ head. (It is a) good thing is that Finnish fighters are very cold and I think that this will be an advantage for us!