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**SmackyBear** · 03-07-2011, 09:31 AM

Sorry if this has been posted already. Looked to see if Arona was mentioned in the headlines recently, and didn't see it. I know there's always a "where's Arona" thread somewhere, but thought this could use it's own thread here, since he seems to have UFC Rio in mind.

http://www.tatame.com/2011/03/07/Ric...ght-at-UFC-Rio

Quote:

Without fighting since 2009, when he beat Marvin Eastman upo n Bitetti Combat 4, Ricardo Arona can’t wait to return to the rings. The tough guy suffered a knee injury on his last fight and he’s almost 100% recovered. Training in Itacoatiara with Paulo Filho among other athletes, Arona guarantees that in two months top he’ll be ready to fight and dreams with a vacancy on UFC Rio, which happens on August 27th, in Rio de Janeiro.

“I don’t have a contract signed with nobody, but I want to be ok to sign a contract, preferably an international one, but Brazil has been evolving a lot, so maybe I’ll fight in Brazil again. My goal is to dispute an international championship, except if it’s on UFC Rio, because it’s an international championship, but it’ll be in Brazil. If I have the chance to fight on UFC in August, it’ll be the ideal. I’ve been training thinking about it, I want to be 100% to return on this UFC in Brazil, I think it’d be perfect to return on UFC Rio and I’ve been training hard for it”, commented Arona.

How is your knee recovery and how is your preparation?

It’s ok. I’m not giving 100% on my trainings yet, but I’m training it all: Muay Thai, Boxing, Jiu-Jitsu, Wrestling, conditioning trainings… My knee is almost 100% healed, I’m almost ready to fight. I’m training hard, working on my conditioning, I’m preparing to return this year. I’m preparing, confident, training hard, doing some physiotherapy and preparing myself to return in 2010.

Is there a crew helping you out in Niteroi?

Yeah, there’re some friends here, I’m training with them. Paulo comes to train with me all the time, we’re a team with few people, but good ones. We’re training hard, and we’re moving forwards, improving. I’m evolving on my recovery, training with my friends and doing well.

Paulo is about to participate of a fighting marathon: three fights in three months. How is he preparing himself for this marathon?

I’ve talked about it with Paulo and I think it’s too much for him to do in such a short period of time, but he says it’s important for him to earn more experience and be active. The ideal would be for him to sign with an international event, but meanwhile, he’ll fight a lot to remain active, conditioned. He’s thrilled for these fights and you can hope he’ll dig it.

Ximu is a guy you know well, and he’ll be the last opponent of Paulo on this marathon he’s about to begin. How do you see this confrontation?

I think this fight will be interesting because they both are experienced, Ximu has fought athletes of great level, just like Paulo, and it will be a great fight. I cheer for them both to do a good fight, to put on a good show. Paula is optimist for this fight, he’s training a lot and he’s doing well, so you can hope for a great fight.

Do you consider fighting in smaller events or do you want to return to the big events, even if you hasn’t fought for a while?

I don’t have a contract signed with nobody, but I want to be ok to sign a contract, preferably an international one, but Brazil has been evolving a lot, so maybe I’ll fight in Brazil again. My goal is to dispute an international event, except if it’s on UFC Rio, because it’s an international event, but it’ll be in Brazil. If I have the chance to fight on UFC in August, it’ll be the ideal.

People like you a lot in Rio de Janeiro... It’d be a great chance for you to fight on UFC Rio, right?

I’ve been training thinking about it, I want to be 100% to return on this UFC in Brazil, I think it’d be perfect to return on UFC Rio and I’ve been training hard for it.

You’ve always fought in rings, but your game style matches the grids, using your takedowns… How do you see this change?

I think so too. The grid for me is a new thing, but I felt pretty comfortable taking the guys down and working my elbows out. It matched my game style, it’d be great to fight under these conditions, so I hope to fight on UFC.

After that meeting you had with Dana White, have you talked to the guys from UFC?

No. What Dana White’s told me was: “it’d be perfect if you fought once before coming. We have a vacancy for you here on UFC, but you should fight first to earn rhythm”. I told him it was ok, and that I’d like to return to UFC, and now that UFC is here in Brazil, it’ll be great to gather the two things: fighting in Brazil on UFC Rio. If I have the chance to do it, it’d be great to fight on UFC in August.

When will you be 100% ready to return to the rings?

If things don’t change, in two months I’ll be 100%. If God helps me… I can’t wait to be fighting again.

You’ve fought Shogun and ended up being beat on Pride’s GP. How do you see his bout with Jon Jones?

I believe on Shogun’s experience. Jon Jones might be winning, he’s much skilled, he’s a newcomer, so he’ll learn from his experiences… I think Shogun has to use it on his favor over Jon Jones. I believe it’s important that Shogun set a game plan based on his experience because Jon Jones has a great number of coups launched over his opponents while standing, on the floor, anywhere. I think Shogun has to use his head and, if he does that, I believe he can win this fight.

If he's healthy, I'd love to see him fight again.

**osmium** · 03-07-2011, 09:42 AM

I'd love to see him get a shot in the UFC.

**Toxic** · 03-07-2011, 09:53 AM

The UFC has enough fighters who have been loyal to them for a long time and who have done a lot for the company that want those spots on the UFC Rio card, besides Arona is a great fighter but he hardly is gonna put on a barn burner.

Couchwarrior · 03-07-2011, 04:28 PM

He's had one fight in the last four years. Sure, he'll probably get signed by the UFC right now if he accepts $10000/fight, but if he wants a lucrative contract, I think he'll have to do a couple of tune-up fights somewhere else first, to show that's he's still the same fighter. He's too much of a high risk investment right now.

enceledus · 03-07-2011, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Couchwarrior

He's had one fight in the last four years. Sure, he'll probably get signed by the UFC right now if he accepts $10000/fight, but if he wants a lucrative contract, I think he'll have to do a couple of tune-up fights somewhere else first, to show that's he's still the same fighter. He's too much of a high risk investment right now.

I would love to see Arona in the UFC. But, I think what Couchwarrior said is spot on. He is going to need to do some tune-up fights in some lower organizations first.

Then again, who knows? He has name recognition so the UFC may pick him up based on that alone.

**Roflcopter** · 03-07-2011, 05:53 PM

I'm pretty sure he's not in shape and is just looking for a payday.

Dana knows this and is basically telling him to get his ass in shape and take a few regional circuit fights but he seems hellbent on getting a fight in the UFC with as little effort as possible.

I guess he plans on getting in shape with all the calories he's burning stalking Dana across the world.

The_Senator · 03-07-2011, 06:49 PM

I think too many years went to waste. The sport keeps evolving and Arona hasn't ever beaten anyone who is still relevant in current LHW division, well, except for Henderson obviously, but it was split decision, anyway. At the same time, the guys that keep headlining PPVs, Shogun and Rampage, beat PRIDE Arona easily. It's sad that he wasn't able to join UFC when he could've done some damage in the division, now it seems highly unlikely for Arona to even break into TOP 5-7, inactivity just lasted way too long...

**St.Paul Guy** · 03-07-2011, 08:40 PM

It would be fun to see him fight in the prelims against someone like Fabio Maldonado. I suspect the main card will be stacked from top to bottom with more deserving fighters.

Sambo de Amigo · 03-07-2011, 10:56 PM

Wanderlei
Maia
Belfort
Paul Harris
Shogun
Machida
Big Nog
Lil Nog
Anderson Silva
Paulo Thiago
Tibau
Olivera
Barboza

All these guys deserve to be on the card who the hell does Arona think he is to even ask for this chance , when the guy isnt part of the company and his last win was Marvin eastman

this is a historic event and i hope these guys get a chance to fight on it.

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