“Belt Collector” Guilherme Moreira Looking to Defend GP Title Versus Jared Perez on September 2nd in Humble

HOUSTON, TX, August 20, 2011 – We recently spoke to Team Tooke G. Moreira after his recent experience at the Ringside World Championships in Kansas City that concluded this weekend. Coming home to Houston with the 178Ib championship belt from that competition, it now looks like Guilherme will have to clear out space in a trophy case that already includes titles won in the Legacy Amateur Series, Garcia Promotions, and Houston’s Golden Gloves.

With such a pedigree already developing, area fans are already wondering when the MMA/Boxing double-threat will go pro. After all, his pugilistic prowess is already well-known after wins over some very experienced opponents on the amateur level. Trusting his coaches with that decision to take things to the next level, Moreira is content to continue honing his game and testing himself in the amateur ranks. One step at a time is his current motto, and the next step in on September 2^nd against another out-of-town challenger in Corpus Christie’s Jared Perez.

G, thanks for taking this interview before your fight at CC5. Before we talk about that fight, congrats on the win at the Kansas City ringside tournament! Tell us about that experience! What were your fights like?

Thank you sir. I had a great time in Kansas! It was such a great experience for me as a fighter to test myself in the world of boxing against pure boxers. Thank God everything went according to the game plan and I was able to come back to Houston with the 178lb championship belt.

It seems like you’ve had a lot of success recently crossing over into boxing recently as well as MMA. Do you enjoy one over the other? What are the different challenges with both?

I enjoy both a lot! I have been a boxing fan (of Mike Tyson and Arturo Gatti, to be more precise) since I was kid. I love the sweet science but it’s not enough for me and MMA is the complete science so that’s what I want to do for sure. I don’t wanna be known as a great puncher, but a great fighter.

Speaking of which… what do you feel your biggest strengths are as a fighter right now? What aspect of your game do you need or want to improve most?

I feel my biggest strength is my heart and determination. When I’m not training, I’m training. I also feel that I’m a smart fighter. i don’t take any discipline above the other. That way I can be as well-rounded as possible.

Looking back at your Legacy fight against Kevin Thomas – did it go as you expected?

My fight with Kevin went as expected… I was able to stop the takedown and win the fight where I felt I had the advantage.

You’ve now got two titles in MMA and a few big tournament wins / belts in boxing. How close are you to going pro with either sport?

I’ll go pro when coach Jace Pitre tells me to go pro. I’ve listened to every advice he ever gave me and I’m sure he knows when the time is right. He was my first coach ever and my current coach. He knows me well so I trust him 100%.

Looking ahead to your next fight at Cage Combat 5, you’ll be taking on Jared Perez. What do you know about him?

I don’t know much about him except that he is really tough. My friend and teammate Chris Lopez lost a tough decision to him. All I know about Jared comes from him. So I know is that he is for real and comes to fight!

How would you like to win this fight ideally?

I would like this fight to end with my hands raised. I don’t care how.

If you had to give last words to your opponent before this fight, what would you tell him?

I would like to thank him for coming all the way to Houston to fight me. It gets tougher and tougher to find legit opponents like him when at the brink of going pro so I appreciate him accepting the fight with me.

What’s next for you after this fight? Will we see you back in the cage again soon?

After this fight I’ll focus on school for a bit. I’m trying to major in physical sciences which is not easy, but I’m a nerd like that. I can’t stay away from the ring/cage for too long so you will probably see me fight again before the year ends, I’m sure.

Any last words? Anybody you want to thank before September 2^nd?

I would like to thank you and TXMMA for taking the time to interview me, first of all. Also thank you to Mick Maynard and Eric Garcia for giving me shots at their promotion. Also thanks to the peeps from thecagedoor.net for everything they’ve done for Houston MMA, Laura Craft Massages, Clean by Troy Garza, B3, Vince from Houston Fire and Security, everybody at Bally Total Fitness, and finally my family and friends that supported me through these past couple of months which been tough on me. I appreciate it all.

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