Diego Brandao on Growing Up a Fighter in the Amazon and his Upcoming Fight with Nick Gonzalez at KOK!

March 14, 2011 – In today’s interview, we speak to Diego “Ceara” Brandao, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt and Jackson’s MMA fighter making his next cage appearance at the much-anticipated King of Kombat: Mass Destruction show set to hit Austin on April 9^th.

A lifelong fighter, Diego discusses his beginnings growing up deep in Brazil’s Amazon in Manaus in this interview. For those that haven’t been exposed, the Brazilian state of Amazonas and its capital city of Manaus has been producing BJJ and MMA prodigies for a long time now, also giving the world talents like Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, Jose Aldo, Eduardo Telles, and current San Antonio resident Rodrigo Pinheiro.

Now with over twenty MMA fights behind him, the Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn trained Diego Brandao returns to Austin in the midst of a three-fighting winning streak to do battle with none-other than hometown kid Nick “The Ghost” Gonzalez at King of Kombat.

What was it like growing up training deep in the heart of the Amazon? What’s on his mind heading into this bout with Nick Gonzalez? Read on and get to know Diego “Ceara” Brandao.

Thanks for taking the interview regarding your upcoming fight at KOK against Nick Gonzalez. Before we talk about that fight, can you tell me a little bit about your history. How did you get into jiu-jitsu and Vale Tudo?

I began training BJJ at age 14. I used to play soccer in Brazil and was always one of the smaller guys on the field. The bigger guys would push me around, so I decided to train BJJ as a way to defend myself and make my presence known on the soccer field. After my father passed away, I really began to take BJJ very seriously. I trained hard and competed as a way to make money rather than just fighting for free out in the streets or on the soccer field. With little opportunity in Brazil, I moved to the United States, where I continued to fight and compete to make money and to survive. Fighting is my life.

What was it like growing up in Manaus? Was there anything to do besides training? What is the training atmosphere like in the Amazon?

Growing up in Manaus was great. The people in Manaus are very friendly and supportive. I didn’t have much growing up, but people in the community would help out, buying me fight gear and allowing me to eat in their restaurants for free. Family has always been really important to me and I am extremely close with my family. Growing up, I would swim or play soccer, and of course train. I used to train full time. I’d be at the gym 6 times a day, sweating and trying to become a champion. Training in the Amazon is unlike training anywhere in the world. My gym was very small, crowded and hot. The dojos in Manaus are not fancy like the gyms here in the U.S. We had no A/C, no windows, no high-tech training equipment…just mats, sweat and determination. It is the true spirit of BJJ. All of the guys that train in the Amazon are tough. They are true competitors and they go hard every time they enter the mat. I miss training in my hometown.

Your nickname, “Ceara,” how did you get it and what does it mean?

“Ceara” is the name of the capital of Fortaleza. It is the city where I was born. When I moved to Manaus and began playing soccer, the kids used to call me “Ceara.” The nickname really stuck when I began fighting and the crowd would shout, “Ceara.”

Looking at your career, you’ve fought everywhere – from Manaus and Belem to places like Virginia and Arkansas. What’s been your favorite place to fight so far?

I have had several fights in Austin, TX and it is my favorite city to fight in. The atmosphere is nice and the fans are great. I look forward to heading back to Austin for this event, and be prepared for an exciting show. I’m ready to give the best fight of the night.

This next fight, with Nick Gonzalez at King of Kombat, you’ll likely be fighting the hometown favorite. How do you feel about that? Does is matter to you?

Honestly, this doesn’t matter to me at all. Everyone has their favorite fighter or their preference for who they want to win. I have a lot of fans in Austin and San Antonio too. I truly believe that training hard and being prepared is what makes all the difference for a fight. I am ready for Nick.

What do you know about your opponent? Is there anything special you’re doing to prepare for him?

I have been told that Nick is a striker and a boxer, so I have been training my kickboxing with a little more focus. I’ve also been training my Jiu-Jitsu and grappling. Basically, I have fought all kinds of fighters-wrestlers, strikers, grapplers, etc. and I’ve found you just have to be ready for anything. I am trying to be an all-around great fighter. Striking is important. Ground game is important. I have really been training all facets of my game to be the complete package. I feel comfortable on my feet or on the ground.

Any predictions on the outcome of this bout?

I’m going to fight with all of my heart. I’m fighting for my family. I am going to win this bout no matter what, no matter how.

What’s next for you after KOK: Mass Destruction, Diego?

My life is in God’s hands, and I hope He gives me the opportunity to fight in the UFC. That is my ultimate goal. If that is not what is next for me, only God knows, but I will keep fighting and training hard.

Any last words for your fans here and in Brazil? Anything else you’d like to add?

I want to thank God for making me strong, and for giving me the perseverance and endurance to keep training every day. Through Him everything is possible. I also want to thank my family and all of my fans- in Brazil and in the United States- for backing me throughout my career. I appreciate all of their love and support. It truly keeps me going. I also want to give a big thank-you to Greg Jackson and Winkeljohn, Rodrigo Pinheiro BJJ, my manager, my sponsors, and all of my training partners in Albuquerque and San Antonio. Without all of their assistance, I would not be where I am today. They have given me the tools to be ready for this fight.