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On September 29 at PRIDE 22 in Nagoya Rainbow Hall, Mario Sperry will face off against the prominent Russian sambo-fighter, Andrei Kopylov. Although this fight has been billed of as a ground-technique battle between jiu-jitsu and sambo, we asked Sperry how he felt about his upcoming fight.
PRIDE Fighting Championships: What do you think of your upcoming fight with Kopylov at the 9/29 PRIDE 22?
Mario Sperry: I think this fight will be very difficult but there is never an easy fight in PRIDE. My opponent represents Russia. I'm very proud to be able to fight such a fighter.
PRIDE: What is your impression of Kopylov?
Sperry: I've seen his fights live and I've also seen videos of him. My image of him is that of an incredibly heavy fighter. He's heavy but he's very light on the ground. I think he's a tough opponent.
PRIDE: Kopylov's backbone is sambo. What do you think of sambo?
Sperry: I don't know their techniques in detail but I believe that the level of their joint locks is high and it's similar to jiu-jitsu. I think this fight will be very interesting because it will be a collision of jiu-jitsu ground techniques and sambo ground techniques.
PRIDE: Do you believe you will win?
Sperry: Of course. Even when we don't have a fight planned, my team always trains with winning on their mind. We plan on being able to win regardless of who the opponent is.
PRIDE: Members of your Brazilian Top Team have said that they don't think it's very funny that Kopylov's team, Russian Top Team, is using that name and fighting in PRIDE.
Sperry: We've called ourselves Top Team from 3 years ago. So, of course we don't think it's funny when the Russian fighters call themselves the Russian Top Team. They should have used a name other than Top Team, something that would express the uniqueness of their team. I think if you use the name Top Team, most fans will think of us.
PRIDE: You're proud of the name Brazilian Top Team.
Sperry: Yes, exactly. If we chose some name similar to Chute Boxe Academy, those guys would get angry, right?
PRIDE: So, how about putting the Top Team name on the line in this fight?
Sperry: I'm not in the position to do that. That's for the promoter's to decide but if I could do it, I would. After all, I'm going to win.
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