Paulo Filho’s World Domination Tour – Part Two

By Thomas Gerbasi

“If you want peace, be prepared for war.” For Paulo Filho, that phrase, tattooed on his arm, symbolizes his approach to life, a life where his day job as a prizefighter allows him to live the good life outside of the cage, and to have peace of mind and body after the final bell tolls.

It also allows him to take care of the important people in his life, most notably his parents.

“I am very privileged,” said the WEC Middleweight Champion through manager / trainer Ed Soares. “My mother and father have always been very supportive in what I do. They help me emotionally, giving me a lot of love and letting me know when I do something wrong, which I think is fundamental.”

Yet while they support their son in his endeavors, when it comes to his fights, their absence is notable, but understood by the unbeaten 29-year old.

“Unfortunately my father has a heart condition so he can't go to my fights, he would get too nervous and that would be dangerous for his health,” Filho explains. “My mother is very protective; she couldn't bear to see someone hit me in the face, she would probably jump in the ring and tell him off.”

It’s one of the reasons why Filho has opted against moving to the United States, given his father’s medical condition and his support of his mother, but when it comes to business, “Eli” found out that after the demise of PRIDE in early 2007, if he was going to continue to establish himself as one of the premier middleweights in the world, he would have to do it in the US.

There was still a roadblock in his way though, as the man holding the UFC 185-pound championship, Anderson Silva, was, and is, a good friend of his. So when the WEC came calling, Filho took their offer and was immediately scheduled to fight Joe Doerksen for the organization’s vacant middleweight crown in August.

Yet was assumed to be a competitive matchup between Filho and the veteran Doerksen instead turned into a blowout, with the Brazilian stopping his Canadian foe in the first round. It was a victory Filho wasn’t too happy with, though the fans in attendance and watching on the VERSUS network weren’t complaining.

“I was very well treated by all the fans even though I'm not very known,” said the humble Filho. “But my performance was not very good. I think that was only 30% of what I really am. Now I guess I just have to take that first impression away.”

He will get his second shot in front of US fans on Wednesday, when he takes on another solid veteran, Chael Sonnen.

“I think Chael Sonnen is a tough fighter,” said Filho. “He's got great ground and pound, but honestly, I don't think he can knock me out, only if somehow he gets me into a bad position and is lucky enough to have the fight stopped.”

When you’re fighting at this level though, luck is hardly a huge part of the equation. What does make a difference is skill, stamina, and determination, aspects of the fight game Filho has been working on tirelessly back home in Brazil.

“I started training for this fight two months ago, but I really never stop,” he said. “If I'm not training for a fight I am always active; I always play soccer, run with my dogs and swim. But two months before each fight I do specific training based on each opponent. Now, I have been training wrestling a lot to match up against the Americans and I am in very good shape. I train with my main coach Josuel Distak, who already knows me really well. I also train with my friend Ronald, who helps me a lot, Rafael Manteiga helps me with my ground skills and my speed and agility, and I also get a lot of help from Amaury Bitteti, Minotauro (Nogueira), and Thiago Medeiros. But Distak coordinates everything.”

It’s a routine that has led Filho to 15 wins in 15 fights, an amazing streak for a fighter at this level of the game, and a record that has led many to put him on the top of their lists at the premier middleweight in MMA today.

“I think I am the most consistent fighter,” said Filho. “Also, I am very strong and have great standup skills. I do all of this naturally, for the love I have for it all. I don't know if I am the best, but the days that I've fought so far, I've been the best.”

Ironically, the only man who can claim to be better or equal with Filho today is his friend Silva. Have they ever spoken about breaking this deadlock and fighting to see who the top middleweight in the world is?

“Of course we talk about it,” said Filho. “We have proved to be the best, but there are also other great fighters in the category such as Thales Leites and Damian Maia. At the moment, Anderson has the belt for the biggest organization in the world, and I have the WEC belt and my MMA record to defend.”

And that’s that. But you’ve got to assume that one day these two will collide, and given their competitive natures, their friendship will have to be put to the side when the bell rings.

“I am a natural competitor, I want to win in everything I do, from fighting to playing with marbles,” said Filho. “I worry about what could happen (in a fight), but I guess I got used to the pressure and I go in 90% calm. People think I've only fought 15 times, but I've competed in more than 500 fights in different types of competition.”

In fact, ask Filho about the last time he lost at anything athletically, and he’s stumped.

“Honestly, I can’t recall,” he smiles. “But I know for sure that it was in judo or jiu-jitsu, I just don't remember when it was.”

Talk to some in the fight industry, and they’ll say that Filho won’t be losing anytime soon in the WEC either. But don’t tell the champion that.

“I think that Sonnen is tough, and regarding the other guys, I might be having a bad day and my opponent can have the best day in his life,” he said. “America has many tough competitors in my category.”

That’s unfortunate news for the rest of the 185-pounders in the WEC, because it means Filho is training hard and staying focused for everyone he faces. There will be no shortcuts or letdowns in his preparation – he’s ready to get the victory – in whatever way he can get it.

”It's very important to put on a good show, but when I'm fighting I can't think about that,” he said. “I have to be in fight mode and fight with all my heart. I always hope that I can be lucky enough to win a fight and put on a great show for the fans.”

Luck has nothing to do with it – not for Filho. As for the moments in the cage just before the bell rings, does he think of home, of his parents, of his record and the title he is about to defend?

“Nothing,” he deadpans. “It's already natural to me, it's instinctive. My body is what reacts to the bell.”

Paulo Filho is prepared for war.  The peace can come later.