Martins: And do you think you got to show it at all in your last two bouts against Hamanaka and in the TKO over Mike Delaney at FFC 15?

Wilson Gouveia: I hope so, I step in and to go out of the ring most quickly possible; of course with a victory in my favor…


Denis Martins: Was your fight against Delaney in the heavyweight division?

Wilson Gouveia: He was heaviest, he weighed 100kgs and I did 93kgs. This was okay for me; I didn't have problems with controlling him


Denis Martins: The conditioner of ATT, BENKEI, told me a lot of good things about you. What did he change into your fights' preparation since his arriving?

Wilson Gouveia: In the conditioning he changed everything; this guy is fantastic professional- a scientist. He's the 'mother' of ATT and Ricardo Liborio is the 'father' [laughs] . BENKEI prepared us very-well and we became animals on the fights, ATT is so pleased of having him here, he's the man!


Denis Martins: So was the BENKEI's "formula" what was lacking to your preparation?

Wilson Gouveia: He knows what he does. It was not only to me, but to all from ATT, which is one of the best MMA team of the World. We needed a conditioner like he is, and like I mentioned, he's the man.


Denis Martins: You UFC debut was at TUF 3 Finale and after a dominating R1 over Keith Jardine you lost by decision. How do you see that match?

Wilson Gouveia: I felt a little the pressure of fighting at UFC, this is a dream of every fighter and with me this was not different. I wanted an event where I could make money, and I found that at UFC, this is a professional deal of a fighter. At round 1 I pressured Jardine and dominated him completely. He did not find me out. However I tried a low kick in second stanza and it connected at his knee, I lost my speed and I could not to move fast like I did at R1, my foot was so swollen. He sent me to the canvas, but I did the same, that was a good experience anyway.

The promoters mentioned they wanted me fighting there again after the TUF 3 Finale’s fight and then I featured UFC 62’s card against Wes Combs and I won quickly. I would fight Alessio Sakara in UFC 65, but I injured my ribs. Now I am taking Seth Petruzelli.


Denis Martins: What do you think about UFC’s lightheavyweight divison?

Wilson Gouveia: I am focused on fighting against the toughest fighter- I want Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz, and of course a re-match against Jardine. He and I became good friends, he met myself in UFC and he is a nice guy, but I want a second fight.


Denis Martins: Is this true you nearly left the MMA after the Jardine’s fight?

Wilson Gouveia: I lost my sponsor and I do have bills to pay. I did not fight against Sakara, and then I did not win money. So I looked for a job and I found it a cars’ store, where I was successful. By the other hands my teammates insisted on talking I have enormous potential for MMA, that my talent could not be wasted. So I convinced myself I could be a star in MMA and I am 100% dedicated to the fights now. I only train and fight now. The fans will hear a lot from me.


Denis Martins: You fought TUF 3 Finale (cable TV) and UFC 62(ppv), where did you like to fight more?

Wilson Gouveia: TUF and UFC Fight Night reach different type of fans. I meant while UFC is with huge ppv, the TUFs and UFNs are collecting new fans,because this is not ppv. SO I do know UFC is where the titles’ disputes are, but for while I would like to keep fighting UFNs. Imagine if I get to win my all fight in UFN, when I reach a title dispute at UFC- I will attract the fans I conquered when I fight UFN editions, this is amazing!


Denis Martins: What about your opponent, Petruzelli?

Wilson Gouveia: I was supposed to fight Hector Ramirez at UFC 65 and then they re-booked this fight to UFC Fight Night 9, now Ramirez pulled out and I am facing this former heavyweight guy. For me this is okay. I changed a few aspects of my training with my muay thai coach and I elaborated a new strategy. We are in a level of this game that we need to make tactics/strategies for the fights.


Denis Martins: There are a few tough guys in lightheavyweight divison are not still in contender position, they are Rashad Evans and Michael Bisping. What do you think about them?

Wilson Gouveia: Evans is a tough guy, he has a rough wrestling game and he has stamina to keep the pace during the three rounds. I would include Jardine and Lyoto Machida on this list too. I do not think Bisping is a tough guy, I do not think he took tough opponents. I do guess he is a UFC product because they do need a idol to arrive will in UK’s soil. Quinton Jackson is the contender now, but he did not impress me in his debut.


Denis Martins: Last words?

Wilson Gouveia: The message is I am very-well concentrated for this fight and my condition is 200%. I want to make my fans happy and to win this fight. I want to thanks my family, my coaches and my second family, ATT. People from Minas Gerais and Fortaleza, stay with GOD