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Mario Sperry On 2015 ADCC Superfight With Ricardo Liborio: ‘We Define Ourselves By The Opponents We Choose To Face’

Mario Sperry On 2015 ADCC Superfight With Ricardo Liborio: ‘We Define Ourselves By The Opponents We Choose To Face’

 

 

The late Master Carlson Gracie had assembled one of the largest armies of fighters in the history of Jiu-Jitsu and MMA. Among the big names are Zé Mario Sperry and Ricardo Liborio. Friends and former training partners at the legendary Copacabana academy, the two will face off in the superfight at ADCC 2015 to be held in Manaus, Brazil.

Sperry who 1998 was the first ever ADCC absolute champion, was confused at first when the organization suggested the name Liborio, but said he sees no problem in having a fight against his former teammate.

Sperry is unbeaten in ADCC superfights so far, having beaten Renzo Gracie in 2011 and Fabio Gurgel in 2013.

“I was a little confused at first, because we were training partners for long. Obviously, I’d rather face someone from another school … However, I’m not making any choices. Facing big names from other schools is always good, because of old rivalries…Liborio, is undoubtedly one of the best Jiu-Jitsu fighters of all time. It will be a great challenge and will be good for us, regardless of who wins.”

Murilo Bustamante, Ricardo Liborio, Ricardo Arona and Mario Sperry

Murilo Bustamante, Ricardo Liborio, Ricardo Arona and Mario Sperry

“The organizing committee asked me about it, and I said I would fight if he accepted. However, I see no problem. It is an excellent opportunity to do what we like best: train and fight. On my side, this fight does not change at all the respect and friendship I have for him. And one thing is certain: we will have again a school representative as champion Carlson Gracie Grappling in the grappling biggest event in the world. ”

Sperry reveals that the opportunities that the Sheik Zayed Bin Tahnoon, creator of ADCC, has given, together with his passion for the sport, makes him motivated.

“It’s hard to tell where the motivation to continue training comes from, especially for not having a facility as an office and this fact makes training becomes even more difficult. However, a love of sport and the chance that the Sheik Tahnoon been giving me do this, has boosted my motivation. It’s not every day that a retired fighter has a chance to make a superfight at an event like ADCC against names like Renzo, Gurgel and Liborio. Athletes who took the sport of Jiu-Jitsu to the level where it is today. No better motivation exists.”

“We define ourselves by the opponents we choose to face” He concluded.

Ricardo Liborio at ADCC 2001: