Nino Interview 2000.
We saw Nino almost everyday at Gracie Barra. This guy loves to train. I’ve gotten a few emails asking if we could interview Nino. Well we were on step ahead of you. We hooked up with him and kicked back. Nino is kinda a quite guy, but we still got some good stuff from him.OTM: First of all Abu Dabi, why didn’t you have to fight in the trials? N: Because I talked to the guy in charge and he asked me if I would like to compete. I told them that I love submission rules and I would love to go. So I don’t have to go to the trials.
OTM: What do you think of the rules of Abu Dhabi?N: I like because the first five minutes there are no points. The rules are set up more for the fighter who likes to submit like me. I like that the guy on top has to force the ground game. He cannot just stand up. This is good for the jiu-jitsu guys. I love this.
OTM: What do you think about the one point loss for jumping to the guard?N: It’s not good for me but I will try. If I lose one point I know I have to try and get the finalization or points.
OTM: Have you change you game for the rules?N: Yes I have been trying more chokes and sweeps because it is difficult to finish a strong guy in an armbar or uma plata. So I have been practicing more chokes and sweeps.
OTM: Who do you think will win the super fight between Sperry and Travern?N: I don’t know, it will be a great fight. I think Sperry is stronger but Travern has a good guard.
OTM: Who have you been training with to get ready for the Abu Dhabi?N: I train here at Gracie Barra with Marcio Feitosa, Cachorrino, The Giant Phillipao, and Sol. Training with everybody here because I have a good master, Carlos Gracie.
OTM: What do you think it takes to become a jiu-jitsu champion like yourself?N: When you train you have to always look for ways to finalize like Renzo Gracie. I think Renzo is the best.
OTM: What does your training regiment consist of?N: I train a lot; I run, swim, lift weights lightly and stretch a lot everyday.
OTM: Do you do Yoga?N: No only stretch but everyday.
OTM: What is your diet? What do you eat any special foods?N: I eat a lot of everything but no sugar and I try to eat healthier. I like spaghetti and Italian food because my father is Italian.
OTM: Do you like Acai?N: Man, I am in the Guinness world record holder for eating seven bowls of Acai.
OTM: Seven at once?N: Yes seven.
OTM: Do you take any supplements?N: Yes only Creatine and Myoplex. Only this.
OTM: Do you know that you have a nick name in America…El Nino`?N: I like, I like this. It means strong.
OTM: Have you seen the videotape called El Nino with a lot of your fights on it? It?s very exciting because you finish most if not all of your opponents.N: No but I like.
OTM: We hear you are making a videotape with all your fights and selling it on the Internet.N: Yes maybe in the future. (check back for details)
OTM: Watching you train, I have seen so many moves and techniques that I have never seen before. How do you develop a game like this?N: I like only to finalize and I try to create new techniques for finalization. I don’t like points that much. When I am in tournament, of course I have to watch for points but I like to finalize. I like to finish the guys because it shows you are good, kind of like Elvis in the movies, you understand? (Nino is a BIG Elvis fan)
OTM: Is there anything else you would like to say?N: I will do my best any try to finish everyone at Abu Dhabi and I want to thank my sponsor Bad Boy and Gracie Barra.