The debut Ronaldo Jacare in UFC had already drawn the attention of many people. But the crushing victory over the Japanese Yushin Okami , former challenger middleweight belt of the organization, has put the black belt on another level within the category. Like any fighter, the goal of Ronaldo Jacare is to reach a title fight. With his feet on the ground, he says he will not escape this responsibility, but believes that he still has to do a few more fights to win his chance. From Tatame: 

“What does this win over Okami mean to you?

It is a benchmark in my career as an MMA fighter. The UFC will actually pay more attention to me. I proved that I’m ready to fight anyone in the division. I’m a complete MMA fighter. It is rewarding for me! I often used so much aggression when fighting, then I would get tired and did something else. This time, the aggression was ther. My killer was there, I was jsut much smarter and I also was technical. My MMA coach put an emphasis on Boxing then I had a huge evolution.

What has changed in Ronaldo Jacare since your first UFC fight?

For my first fight I was ready too, was 100%, and Camozzi was a tough guy, coming from several consecutive victories – including UFC Rio where he had beaten a Brazilian athlete. What happened on this last fight is that I went forward, I’m evolving, so I was as prepared as I was in Jaragua do Sul, only I was better physically. My technical part was much better Boxing, Wrestling was training with Adrian Jaoude, the physical part with Rogerão … Every day that passes, I’m evolving, and that’s the difference.

You are probably one or two fights from a title shot. Who do you consider the ideal opponent for you for this fight?

I do not wonder who I’ll fight for the belt. Of course, I will fight for the belt, the belt is my focus. I am not evading the responsibility of the belt, but I think I have a few more fights to do before getting there.

Would you fight with Anderson?

It is a fight that I do not want, do not ask Anderson. I would be a hypocrite if I said that I would like to face Anderson for the belt. He is a guy who has helped me a lot in practice, is a guy who helped leverage my technique, and I also helped him in the ground. We trained a lot of time together, and this is a fight that you usually do not want. But I will not give up my dream for another person, and everyone knows it. But I’ll say that I do not want, will not ask and do not wish for this fight ever.

Would you face other Brazilians like Belfort and Lyoto?

Of course! I do not even know why you ask me that. Who does not want to face Belfort, a guy who is in evolution and is knocking out everyone? Lyoto, who won the light heavyweight dividion? Of course I want! Send this fight for me. I accept!

Will you help Anderson to fight against Chris Weidman?

I offered. I’ve talked with the Camões, because Camões is nearest to him, that if he needed my help I would be there to help him. He is a guy I’m rooting for, a guy who helped jumpstart MMA in Brazil. MMA is exploding because of Anderson. Royce was the first after Belfort and now Anderson. The fight that Anderson did to Belfort – and if anyone tells you otherwise is lying – made the world open their eyes to the Anderson and MMA in Brazil.

Do you believe that Anderson regains the belt?

I think that Anderson regains the belt because he is a phenomenon, and has all the weapons to win. In the last fight he could have won, unfortunately something went wrong.””