Paulo Thiago Talks Martin Kampmann and UFC 115

This Saturday night as MMA fans from around the globe tune in to witness UFC 115: Liddell vs. Franklin live from the General Motors Place in Vancouver, Canada they will also be treated to the televised opener between Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist Paulo Thiago as he takes on the hard hitting Dane in Martin Kampmann.

It will be the UFC's first ever event in the Vancouver area. As excited as MMA fans in the area are to have an event there, Paulo Thiago is just as honored to be a part of it.

"I'm very excited to fight here in Canada, especially in Vancouver. Today I walked around near the hotel and a lot of people came to talk with me, wishing me good luck. That really impressed me a lot and I didn't expect that. The people are very nice and friendly, so I'm very honored to fight in Canada and everybody will see that I'll do my best to make a great show for the fans. Talking about Vancouver, this is one of the most beautiful cities i ever seen in my life, besides that, people have been so nice and kind to me on the streets....I had no idea it'd be like this," said an appreciative Thiago.

Thiago, when not living the life of a professional mixed martial artist he makes his living on the streets of Brazil as a part of their Elite Special Police Force. 

With a day job like that most guys wouldn't worry too much about a single fight in the Octagon. 

Thiago begged to differ during a recent interview with Bleacher Report .  If anything, he's doing more than he does for some of his past bouts.

"The most part of my training camp i did with my team (Constrictor Team) in Brasilia. I have all the support in Brasilia with all my coaches and with my training partners, especially Rani Yahia, Alex  Nacfur, Renato Moicano and Francisco Massaranduba. I went to Rio and trained at X-Gym, with Anderson Silva's coaches and partners such Rafael Feijão, Ronaldo Jacaré, Distak and Rogerio Camões. This trip was very nice, because i was able to train with other fighters which was good because they are different from the partners that i train with every day.

"I know he's a very though and complete fighter and he has a lot of submission and TKO victories. I have to pay atention to him at all times, because in this sport you can't make a mistake. I saw all his past fights and made my strategy with all my coaches,  so I expect to put my game plan to work and come back home with a huge victory," said the Brazilian welterweight.

While Thiago can be viewed as the fighter with the superior ground game the experience factor and striking could fall on the side of Kampmann.  

However you slice it, Thiago is in no way looking at an easy night across the cage from Kampmann.

"I know he's a very though and complete fighter and he has a lot of submission and TKO victories. I have to pay attention to him all times, because in this sport you can't make a mistake. I saw all his
past fights and made my strategy with all my coaches,  so i expect to put my game plan to work and come back home with a huge victory.

As I told you before, I have to pay atention on him all thetime. He's very good on the ground and striking, but I think I will figure out how to deal with him. I don't care if the fight stays on my feet or goes to the ground, the only thing that I really care is to win this fight as fast as I can," he adds.

Thiago, a relative newcomer to the UFC will be entering the Octagon for only the fifth time in his career.  

His debut under the UFC banner came in February of last year when he spectatular knockout over Josh Koscheck to earn the knockout of the night honor.  

The two were to partake in a rematch during UFC 109: Relentless. An injury to Koscheck left Thiago to fight Jacob Volkmann which resulted in a unanimous decision win for the Brazilian.

Since then Koscheck has worked his way into a coaching opportunity opposite of welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre which will ultimately lead to a title clash between the two.  

While Thiago does hold a victory over Koscheck he doesn't necessarily feel that it should be him facing GSP for the belt.

"I'm a new fighter in the UFC and I belive that Koscheck deserves the title shot more than I do at this time. He's doing a great job and i know that my chance will come, I have only to keep wining and training and when the UFC gives me my chance, I'll be ready," declares Thiago.

He adds, "one thing that I have in my mind is not to think about a future fight, only my next fight. I know that the UFC is doing what is best for them, and if it is the best for them, it is the best for me as well."

The sweet taste of victory would soon turn sour as he dropped a unanimous decision to John Fitch at UFC 100 .

As with most fighters, Thiago walked away from the fight viewing it as a learning experience.

"Not only Fitch fight, but I'm getting better after every fight. In the fight agaisnt John Fitch I was learning how to fight in the UFC, it was only my second fight in the UFC. After that I fought three more rounds against Volkmann and two rounds against Swick, so this time inside the octagon I have much more experience," Thiago states.

A couple of more experiences like those that he had with Swick and Volkmann and we'll no longer be thinking of him as simply the new kid on the block.

A win over Kampmann could be another step in sending Thiago on his way to becoming one of the biggest threats in the sport and one of the UFC's brightest stars.

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