FightingLifestyleUAE caught up with Multiple times World Champ, ADCC gold medalist & IBJJF Hall of Famer Michelle Nicolini ahead of her fight against Angelica Galvao at Polaris. Michelle on her plans for 2015, Metamoris and Professional Jiu-jitsu formats & her upcoming fight against Angelica Galvao.
Now you are set to compete this January against Angelica Galvao at Polaris, can you talk about your camp and training leading up to this fight?
“In October I decided to come to the UK and do my Polaris training camp here at London Fight Factory which is one of the affiliations of the Checkmat Team. Everybody is so helpful including the head coach and gyms owner who is Luiz Ribeiro. I did my strength conditioning with Omid Alimohammadi, and now I’m feeling really good. Angelica is little bit bigger than me, but It wont be a problem, as I train most of the time with people heavier than me. The fight will be 15 minutes, submission only.”
What is your mindset going into the fight against Galvao and what are we to expect?
“My mindset is going to be submissions. I respect her, I know her and how good is her Jiu-jitsu, but you can expect a good fight and a submission from me.”
Can you give us your opinion on the Metamoris and other professional JJ tournament formats?
“Metamoris was awesome! I’m glad I was invited to fight there once. They were very professional, they pay well and they treat the athletes very well too. I hope other show’s keep up the same line. We are tired to fight just for medals, I have a bunch of medals at home, It has to be more professional. It is the only way to keep the athletes at a high level. I am super happy to now fight Polaris, to have this second chance in this format of competition. I will be the first female fight competing on it. Hope we can open more doors for girls with all this exposition. The bad think about Metamoris, they only put one time female fight and the Copa Podio never had one, only the couple challenge.”
In a recent interview with us Luanna Alzuguir stated she would like to have a submission only fight with you, what are your thoughts on this prospect?
“About Luanna Alzuguir, we had fought before and she always did good against me. Yeah if she said she would like to fight me again in this format why not! It ‘d be great, we didn’t have never fought in a submission only format. It would be fun, I’m excited!”
Click here for Luanna Alzuguir’s Interview
Are we to see you at the World pros in Abu Dhabi and the ADCC in 2015?
“I will do one of the trials in Brazil. I really hope I can win and go to Abu Dhabi again, because this is one of my favorites tournaments and ADCC for sure I will be there. Second semester of the year, in Manaus, Brazil. Looking forward for this one.”
