Interview – Arsenal’s Carlos Diego Ferreira talks about his fight against Clint Roberts at UWF 1 this Saturday

MCALLEN, TX, November 21, 2011 – The head instructor of the Arsenal JJ team down in the Rio Grande Valley, 26 year old Carlos Diego Ferreira has been competing day in and day out to make a name for his team for the better part of the last year. Participating in BJJ/grappling tournaments all over Texas and beyond, this quest has led Ferreira to the top of medal podiums everywhere he’s been, including the prominent U.S. Open in San Diego just this past October. Now this coming Saturday at the Pharr Events Center, he’ll be taking on a different kind of challenge when he steps into the cage to take on Clinton Roberts at UWF 1.

A native of the city of Manaus deep in the heart of the Brazilian Amazon, Carlos Diego can trace his lineage all the way back to Osvaldo Alves, a recognized 9^th degree master of Jiu-Jitsu and a man credited with helping revolutionizing the sport by infusing techniques from judo and beyond into the game. Beginning his training at 10 years old under O. Alves black belt Faustino Neto at Clube Pina in Manaus, Carlos has already been on the fighting journey for most of his life – from the time he was “the young guy” at the gym through the opening of Arsenal JJ just this past year.

Now he’ll look to continue on that journey of growth by making a splash in the world of MMA. He already started with a win earlier this year at STFC 15 over a tough Joseph Daily but will look to continue that this Saturday. With UWF 1 just over the horizon, we spoke to Carlos Diego to get his pre-fight thoughts heading into this latest challenge in his career.

Diego, thanks for taking the time to speak with TXMMA.com. Before we get to your fight, can you tell our readers a little more about your history with martial arts?

I started in Manaus when I was 10 years old with Clube Pina Jiu-Jitsu. I was the young guy at my school and I took so long to get to black belt. I competed a lot (throughout the years) and feel like I’ve had a really hard life but I just continue to keep progressing. My teacher Faustino Martins Neto, he helped me a lot in the beginning along with Oswaldo Alves, who was his instructor also. They both helped me to get to where I am and continue to improve. I spent most of my time in Brazil living and working in Manaus to become the best fighter I could be but I also spent a year living in Rio. I wish I could train all the time but I also had to work, work to live and provide for my son. Eventually I came to America and when I got here, I never thought about opening an academy. I thought I’d come here to compete in worlds and that’s it, just focus on my tournaments you know. But eventually I had an opportunity to open Arsenal Jiu-Jitsu and try to make a name here in Texas. It’s working out and I’m really glad for everything.

It certainly sounds like it’s working out considering all the wins you’ve had in 2011. It’s been a good year for you but what’s the highlight? Anything stand out?

I competed a lot this year with everything. I think the U.S. Open was a really big tournament for me. I wanted to do (No GI) Worlds also but I didn’t want to get hurt for this upcoming fight so maybe next year I can do it. Everybody was asking me if I was going this time but next year, I’m going to try to be there for sure. Instead I’ve been focusing on MMA in the last few months.

How’s training been for for this fight?

I have been training really hard you know. I’ve been training both jiu-jitsu and MMA along with wrestling and boxing. I train super hard for everything and I’m excited to get back in the cage for the third time in my career.

What do you like better, training MMA or Jiu Jitsu?

I love mixed martial arts in total with wrestling, boxing, and everything. I love this sport but jiu-jitsu…. It’s my love, you know. It’s the way I grew up and where I’ve gotten my most memorable wins and everything. It’s my first passion but I can also focus on MMA. I like them both.

Do you see yourself as always leaning on your BJJ for your MMA career?

I love competing with my BJJ but also my standup with boxing and Muay Thai. I’ve been training those things this year for the whole time. I don’t have too much experience yet (in the cage) but I love being a striker and it’s a really good experience for me. The jiu-jitsu… I can always use when I need, you know, but my focus has been on improving my striking.

Like yourself, I see the rest of your students at Arsenal JJ have been competing a lot this year. Tell us a little about your team.

Oh man, I love my teammates! They always make me really proud and we’re great friends. It doesn’t stop at training you know. Me and Luis Rubalcava, with Abel Gomez, who’s our MMA coach, we’re trying to make Arsenal JJ one of the top teams in Texas. I know it’s a young academy but we’re never going to stop trying to put the name Arsenal JJ at the top all the time bro. I’m proud to have such a hard-working team. We love competing and training all the time.

How does it feel to be fighting in front of so many of your teammates at UWF 1?

I’m a little bit nervous and scared because of the fight you know. I’m not going to lie. I always get a little scared before my fights. I have all my teammates close to me right now because when I actually go fight this Saturday, I’ll have nobody except for one or two guys in my corner. There’s going to be everybody watching from McAllen and the (Rio Grande) Valley so it’s going be really exciting to be there to compete in front of them. I trained really hard to compete for this fight.

What do you know about your opponent, Clinton Roberts?

You know, I don’t have too much information about him. I know he trains at a good academy here in Texas and he’s a little taller than me. I heard he has a good ground game and he’s a wrestling guy from the few videos I saw of him. He has submissions or knockouts in all his fights so I’m expecting a really good fight.

Do you have any predictions as far as how you want to win?

Right now my strategy is to try and stand up a little bit and maybe work my game on the ground if it goes there. I just have to take what he gives to me, you know. That’s pretty much my plan.

Anybody you want to thank before UWF 1 this Saturday?

I just want say thanks for everybody especially my teammates at Arsenal JJ. Everybody has helped me out a lot with my training. Also thank you to Shoyoroll, who’ve been supportive and have sponsored me for a long time. Thanks also to Gold Gym, Ranger Cross Fitness, and all my sponsors who continue to support me all the time in my training. Most of all, thank you to my family for supporting me and staying close to me through all my training and competitions. Thanks everybody.

Note: UWF 1: Roger Huerta vs War Machine will be broadcast LIVE from the Pharr Events Center through Webcast PPV on Go Fight LIVE. TXMMA’s Paul Erickson will be commentating alongside UFC-veteran Phil Baroni so make sure you order the event!

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