NEW INTERVIEW CS:

Emirates Jiu-Jitsu Interviews Carlos Santos
Topic started by Administrator on Friday, 07 November, 2008 11:16 AM
Emirates Jiu-Jitsu Interviews Carlos Santos

http://www.emiratesjiujitsu.com/
Emirates Jiu-Jitsu Interview (1)
With: Carlos Santos
By: Emirates Jiu-Jitsu Website
Where: Abu Dhabi Combat Club
When: Tuesday, November 4th 2008

We had the opportunity to meet this past week, 3-time BJJ World Champion and current Emirates Team Head Coach, Carlos Santos, for a sit-down interview in what is our first feature interview for this website.

Emirates Jiu-Jitsu: Carlos, we would first like to thank you for giving us the opportunity to interview you knowing your tight schedule these days.
Carlos Santos: You're most welcome. It's my pleasure.

EJJ: First, we would like to know your beginnings in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). When did you start and how were you introduced to the sport?
CS: I started BJJ when I was 15 years old in the Carlson Gracie Academy in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. As everyone knows, Brazil is known around the world as the "Football Nation" because of its homegrown football talent, but there was also a fascination with being a superhero, like Superman. The closest thing to being a superhero was being a fighter, a BJJ fighter to be exact, given how big of a sport BJJ was because of the Gracie Family's exploits. It originally started as a hobby but it all changed once I won my 1st championship as a white belt at the age of 16, and the rest is history.

EJJ: You won the BJJ World Championship 3 times, can you tell us when and against whom?
CS: I won the BJJ World Championship in 1996 against Fabio Martins, 1998 against Rolles Gracie, and 2000 against Walter Pinto.

EJJ: What was the defining moment of your professional career?
CS: It was when I beat Rolles Gracie in the 1998 BJJ World Championship because I considered it an "against all odds" fight, given that all of the Gracie Family were siding with Rolles Gracie while I only had Carlson Gracie on my side. I think after that fight, I had the Gracie Family's respect but I will also never forget Carlson's support at that time.

EJJ: Shifting towards your beginnings in the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi to be exact. How did it all begin?
CS: I was initially invited by Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan on January 20, 2002. At the time, there was an agreement between Sheikh Tahnoon and Brazilian Top Team (BTT) where every month, BTT would send a coach to train students in Abu Dhabi at the Abu Dhabi Combat Club. I was one of those coaches but I ended up extending my stay because I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity and showcase BJJ like it has never been showcased before.

EJJ: What do you think of the sport globally right now?
CS: I don't think it is where it ought to be yet. I want it to be a professional sport, like football or basketball (NBA). In 2009, there will be a big step-up for the sport as it will turn into a professional sport that it should be thanks to the support of the Abu Dhabi Government.

EJJ: How does BJJ in the Middle East stack up globally? Are we where we need to be?
CS: Not yet. There is a problem here. Most people start BJJ old. It's a new sport in this region, specifically the United Arab Emirates. The students here lack discipline, which is the most important element of any martial art, let alone Jiu-Jitsu. Students will have to maintain a healthy lifestyle and it will take time for us to get there, but we are on the right track.

EJJ: When will you know that you have accomplished your goal in the United Arab Emirates?
CS: I will achieve my goal once all students take the sport of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a way of life, and we have local Black Belts who will continue what I, and the rest of my team have started.

EJJ: What is your biggest accomplishment so far as Emirates Team Head Coach?
CS: No doubt it's the introduction of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu into schools' curriculum in Abu Dhabi, and the UAE is the only country in the world to do so. This is the beginning of a new era as this step will create a new breed of BJJ athletes from a young age. It also sends a message to the rest of the world as to the intentions of the United Arab Emirates and Abu Dhabi, to be specific.

EJJ: You have recently brought in 12 new coaches to the team, so Emirates Jiu-Jitsu has 18 instructors altogether. That is amazing. How did you go about choosing the coaches you brought in?
CS: I chose good fighters with experience in teaching and a good personality. I don't want great fighters who are bad teachers. We needed the extra help because of the Abu Dhabi Education Council's decision to add BJJ into the schools' curriculum. Two 50-minute lessons of BJJ per week will become part of the curriculum at 14 public schools. The number of participating schools is expected to double next year.

EJJ: On a more general note, what do you think of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), or Vale Tudo, as it is known in Brazil?
CS: I think it's a good sport but it caters to a small market, dominated by one company. If you're not fighting in the UFC, you're not going anywhere. How many times have we seen companies go bankrupt and close shop during the past couple of years?

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is more marketable as a sport because MMA is too brutal for most. You can't teach kids MMA, but you can teach them BJJ. After BJJ turns PRO next year, there will be more opportunities for everyone.

EJJ: Since we're talking about MMA, let's talk about the Ultimate 2008 in December. What are your predictions for the World Heavyweight Championship fight between Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Frank Mir?
CS: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira easily.

EJJ: What about the Light Heavyweight Championship fight between Forrest Griffin vs. Rashad Evans?
CS: Forrest Griffin.

EJJ: Last, but not least, the fight between Wanderlei Silva vs. Quinton Rampage?
CS: Wanderlei Silva.

EJJ: Ok, now for the fun part. I will mention 5 names or places and you tell me the first thing you can think of when you hear those names. Ready?
CS: Yes.

EJJ: Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed
CS: Changes Lives

EJJ: Murilo Bustamante
CS: Stubborn

EJJ: Mario Sperry
CS: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Role Model

EJJ: Abu Dhabi
CS: My new house

EJJ: United Arab Emirates
CS: Sheikh Zayed

EJJ: In conclusion, what are your expectations for the Emirates Jiu-Jitsu website? There is also a surprise you would like to share with everyone?
CS: Yes, but about the website first. I want it to be the connection between us at Emirates Jiu-Jitsu and all the BJJ clubs in the world. I want people who come to the UAE to come train with us and share their knowledge with everyone. Our doors are open to everyone, including kids and women.

Now, for the surprise. Starting in January, we will be organizing in-house friendly competitions between our clubs in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, under the theme "Team Abu Dhabi vs. Team Dubai". We will pick 2 guys from each team in each weight class and organize a competition to be held in Abu Dhabi Combat Club January 30, 2009. Depending on how things go for the first event, we are planning to do this every month, except for months where there is a competition to be held. We are doing this to prepare our fighters for competitions and get them in a competitive mood so that they can be more confident during our big competitions.

EJJ: Good stuff!! Can't wait for that. Anything else you want to add?
CS: I would like to thank Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his continued support of the sport and would also like to thank Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan for inviting me to this beautiful country to ply my trade in the first place.

Thanks for the interview and here is hoping you continue providing our members exclusive access and interviews in the future.
EJJ: Will do. Thanks for your time Carlos.