An Interview With Jorge Santiago: The Belt Collector.

Many MMA fans may not remember Jorge Santiago’s stint with the UFC. Although he was successful in his debut with the organization defeating Justin Levens via KO in the first round the American Top Team fighter would go on to lose his next two bouts and was shown the door. As they say when one door closes another one opens and it could not be any more truer than it is in the case of Santiago’s. Since leaving the UFC Santiago has railed off nine straight wins and captured both the Strikeforce and World Victory Road middleweight grand prix’s.

With an outstanding record of 21-7 the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt has won all but one of wins by either knockout or tapout. With highlight reel knockouts including a flying knee that put Sean Salmon to sleep in the Strikeforce tournament “Four Men Enter, One Man Survives”, Santiago will face his toughest opponent on August 1st when he takes on Vitor Belfort at Affliction III. I recently conducted an interview with Santiago and we covered his past, his present and his very bright future.

Bryan Levick: How is your training going for the Belfort bout?

Jorge Santiago: I am training really hard for this fight. A lot of my colleagues are going to be fighting around the same date so we are helping each other get prepared.

BL: Can you tell me which fighters in particular at ATT are helping you train?

JS: I have been training with all of the fighters at ATT. In particular with Danilo Villefort, Thiago “Pitbull” Alves, Kame and King Mo.

BL: How did you get involved with ATT?

JS: Before Liborio came to the US to train with ATT, I would train with him for all of the major BJJ championships such as the World Championships, Pan-American Championships, and Brazilian Championships. Liborio and I got very close and when he first came to the US he invited me to come along and start training MMA. I have been training with him ever since.

BL: When this fight takes place it will have been almost two years since you fought in the US, do you prefer fighting in Japan or is that where you just seemed to have wound up?

JS: There is not much difference between fighting in the US or Japan the only change I would say is the audience. I prepare myself to fight the same way whether it is in the US or in Japan.

BL: With Strikeforce becoming more prominent and boasting some really talented middleweight fighters can we expect to see you back there anytime soon?

JS: I hope so if we can come to a good agreement I hope to be back there soon.

BL: You recently added the World Victory Road middleweight Grand Prix to your Strikeforce Grand Prix championship. Was one more gratifying than the other?

JS: They both had the same value for me for the simple fact that they were both tournaments. The only difference is that for the World Victory Road Grand Prix I had to go through more opponents, but they were equally gratifying.

BL: Who would you consider your toughest opponent to date?

JS: I consider all of my opponents hard opponents. I did have what I consider the hardest fight which was my last against Kazuo Misaki.

BL: What would you say is your biggest win at this point in your career?

JS: My last fight when I became the Sengoku Middleweight Champion.

BL: Out of all of your losses is there one in particular that you really want to avenge?

JS: I would like to avenge all of my losses.

BL: With 21 wins to your credit you have finished an amazing 20 of them, what is your secret to finishing fights?

JS: My secret is hard training with amazing athletes so that I make sure I can finish all of my fights.

BL: What fighters are out there now that you would really like to fight?

JS: Of course my next opponent, Vitor Belfort and all of the top middleweight fighters.

BL: Will we ever see you back fighting in the UFC again?

JS: I still have to defend my title in Japan pretty soon after that it all depends on negotiations with the UFC.

BL: How did you get hooked up with Affliction for the fight with Beltor?

JS: I have always been interested in fighting at an Affliction event and being that Belfort and I are in the top 10 middleweight rankings, the matchmakers thought it would be an interesting fight for the fans.

BL: Can you tell me what you know about Vitor and what strategy you will use in order to defeat him?

JS: Vitor is an explosive fighter who is always on top of his game. If he can keep a good head on his shoulders he can be a very dangerous fighter. I believe I have all of the tools including a focused mindset to defeat him. In addition I train with the best camp in the world and we have mapped out his game and my road to victory.

BL: You defeated Sean Salmon with one of the sickest flying knees ever seen, what goes through your mind at that moment knowing you knocked him out cold?

JS: At that particular moment I was happy I finished the fight and very concerned with his well being. I was happy to know that he had recovered.

BL: Do you go from an extreme high from winning in such dramatic fashion to being concerned for the other fighter’s safety?

JS: As a fighter my intention is to finish my fights, however I never intend to jeopardize anyone’s safety.

BL: What are your biggest strengths?

JS: My ability to deal with any adversity during a fight and come out on top. I can adjust myself to anything my opponent might throw at me.

BL: What are the areas of your game that you feel like you need to improve on the most?

JS: There is always room for improvement. I work on all areas equally and I am constantly trying to perfect my game.

BL: With Dana White coming out on national television during the Ultimate Fighter Finale saying he would like to make an Anderson Silva-Vitor Belfort bout for the UFC middleweight title how did that make you feel? Also, if you are victorious over Belfort is that a fight you would be interested in getting involved with?

JS: I was actually watching the event live and my first reaction was to think of what a good opportunity it would be for me. However I am not certain what Mr. Dana White’s plans are for the future, but as far as the Santiago-Belfort fight goes, I am certain that I will come out on top. As far as fighting Anderson Silva it is something I would most definitely be interested in, but for now my only concern is my next fight against Belfort.

BL: Jorge, thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions, is there anyone you would like to thank at this time?

JS: I would like to thank everyone at ATT, they have all been part of my training camp and my manager Dan Lambert.