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Michelle Nicolini on Legacy FC MMA Fight: ‘If She Takes Me Down, That’s When My Game Starts’

Michelle Nicolini on Legacy FC MMA Fight: ‘If She Takes Me Down, That’s When My Game Starts’

 

 

At 32, Michelle Nicolini has no more challenges in Jiu Jitsu left. With seven world titles in the black belt, the only featherweight to win the absolute, as well as gold medals at Pan American, Brazilian, European, World and ADCC Pro the athlete from Checkmat won everything with and without the gi, and is arguably one of the greatest fighters in the history of Jiu Jitsu.
On the other hand, replacing the Gi by MMA gloves, Michelle also takes the first steps of a promising career.

So far, she has two wins by submission in the first round and no defeat which was enough to attract attention of the promoters of Legacy FC event where big names such as Jorge Patino Macaco and Leonard Garcia are fighting, in addition to world champions in Jiu Jitsu Leo Leite and Rafael Lovato.

Michelle is about to debut at the event this Friday, the 36th edition of the Legacy FC, ​​against American Norma Rueda.

Michelle took a few minutes to chat with Brazilian website BJJ Forum about her preparation, fighting strategy, adapting Jiu Jitsu  to MMA among other things! Check out the interview below!
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BJJF – Michelle, talk a little about how was this camp for your debut at Legacy FC. You’ve done all your preparation in Santos, Brazil?

Michelle – My camp was all but done in Santos, at the academy The House Fight Company / Checkmat where I train.

In Jiu Jitsu your weapons are your open guard, wher your foot is on the opponent’s biceps and you’re hunting submissions. How has this transition from Jiu Jitsu to MMA been? There has been much change in the MMA game, as we see today more fighters looking to trade standing.

Yes I use quite often use the open guard in Gi Jiu-Jitsu, but I’m already adapted to no-gi Jiu-Jitsu where we use enough guard or butterfly hook. The transition was not made ​​specifically for this fight, because I have been already training for MMA  for a while. I had to adapt something, because some techniques do not really work in MMA. But my game has diversified, and I like to do many things. My game fits well with the gi, no-gi and MMA also.

You will face an experienced wrestler, the American Norma Rueda, who said in a recent interview that you “can not finish her if you can’t take her down.” Do you think this indicates that her strategy will be to keep the fight standing and respect your Jiu Jitsu? And can you elaborate on your strategy for the fight?

She may have made her strategy, I always have the same strategy, and trained hard to get where I want to fight. She is known for wanting to hold much in the fight and win the decision, by gaining the points from the takedowns. But I really want is that she takes me down, that’s when my game starts. I’ve trained what my coaches asked, not seen her fight, only that they saw. I think I have an instinct to go after the fight the way I want.

And your plan is to now focus 100% on MMA, or will we see you competing in Jiu Jitsu? Next year with the ADCC in Brazil…

I’ll still compete in Jiu-Jitsu. This year I still intend to fight at the Europeans, Munich Open and the Madrid Open, since I’ll be there until January. In January after the European I will fight again and then to Brazil. I will try to reconcile, focus, defend my title at ADCC in 2015 I have much pleasure in further training jiu jitsu and competition. If I watch a Jiu-Jitsu training, I’m already itching to put the kimono and go (laughs). There’s no stopping … not yet. But most do not care if I have to train for an MMA fight and can not participate in a world championship.

For you, who are the best female fighters in the history of Jiu Jitsu?

The best fighters in history in my opinion were: Leca Vieira, Polyana Lago, Hannette Stack, Luana Alzuguir, Michelle Tavares Bastos Bianca …

Read the entire interview (in Portuguese)

Check out Michelle’s last MMA Fight: