UFN 22: Rousimar Palhares Talks Brazilian Top Team and How It Changed His Life

Rousimar Palhares is a proud member of one of the legendary mixed martial arts camps in the world in Brazilian Top Team and trains out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Under the tutelage of Murilo Bustamante, Palhares has gone far in the mixed martial arts world.

Palhares used to worked on a farm in Brazil and lived in poverty before he competed in the sport.

Coming from humble beginnings, Palhares has not only made it to the UFC, he has established himself as a contender in the middleweight division.

Tomorrow night in Austin, Texas at Ultimate Fight Night 22 Palhares will take on Nate "The Great" Marquardt in the main event and if Palhares is successful, he may very well be put in the UFC middleweight title picture.

As Ultimate Fight Night 22 draws near, Palhares recently took the time to speak with Bleacher Report through translator and coach Murilo Bustamante.

How is everything Rousimar?
Everything is perfect, couldn't be better with this great opportunity to fight the UFC FN main event.   

You've had quite an interesting back-story before getting into the sport.  Coming from working on a farm in Brazil, to living in poverty before while training at Brazilian Top Team to now main evening UFC Fight Night 22.  How does it feel to have made it this far? And what kind of a life have you been able to live now that you're in the UFC?
After I arrive in Brazilian Top Team my life changed.  The team supported and sponsored me until I was able to help myself.  Today, thank god I am able to help my mother, family and have a comfortable life. 

Sherdog says your record is 11-2, and the UFC says your record is 20-2 as a mixed martial arts fighter.  What is really your official record in MMA?

 My record is a little bit more than the UFC says.  I fought some small events, that information doesn't appear anywhere, just before I arrived in Brazilian Top Team.

There has been word for sometime now that you submit everyone at Brazilian Top Team.  And some have said, you're ridiculously strong.  Is there A) any truth to you submitting everyone at Brazilian Top Team, and B) what's your secret in progressing this far over the last few years?

A) First of all I don't talk about what happens during training sessions, B) I am a worker, I have been working hard to improve my game and everybody helps everybody in my team.  If I am better now I have to thank my training partners.

I know you're coming off a 90 day suspension for your heel hook submission victory over Tomasz Drwal back at UFC 111.  You've said how you'll fight til the ref pulls you away, do you still feel the same?

I will still wait til the referee stops the fight to release any submissions.  I hope they will be faster next time.  I don't want to hurt anyone, but I just want to avoid that people tap and if I release to fast they can say they didn't.  It happened with my coach, with me, and one big fight some time ago.

What's your take on your opponent Nate "The Great" Marquardt?

He is such a great fighter, I am sure that this fight will be one of the best match ups for the fans.  

Originally you and Nate were scheduled to square off at UFC 118, but Demian Maia's opponent dropped out atUltimate Fight Night 22.  What is your take on having the fight postponed until September?  And has the fight put your personal life on hold any?

 I think that it was great for me and my career.  It is a good chance to fight in the main event in the UFC.  I just had to change my training a little bit, but I had more time to prepare myself. 

Nate despite being known for his grappling, has been utilizing his striking as of late, who have you brought in as sparring partners to mimic his style? And how would you say you've progressed as a striker?

I have been working hard with my teammates in BTT, a lot of boxing, sparring and training to improve my game.  I think I am a better fighter now than my last fight. 

Do you feel a win over Nate would put you into the title contention?
I am not worried about it now, my focus is only to this fight.  

What's your take on the UFC middleweight champion Anderson "The Spider" Silva and his actions as champion?  And how do you think you match up against him?

Anderson is a great fighter and the number one of this division now.  Actually I am worried about him. I worry to improve my skills and become a better fighter.  

What do you like to do when you're not fighting?

Fishing, hang out with my family, rest in my city inside my country.  

I know you don't have a personal website yet or a twitter account yet, but how can mixed martial arts fans reach you?

To reach me now they have to come to Austin, but after the fight they have to go to Rio de Janeiro, or send e-mails to BrazilianTopTeam.com.

Thank you for your time Rousimar and best of luck to you.