Young Shot- Pedro Aristides Leopoldo

Fighter profile of Pedro Aristides Leopoldo by Petro Sohitto

Today we'll talk with Crucible Fights: Vegas heavyweight prospect Pedro Aristides Leopoldo about his motivation to fight and his goal of being a champion one day.

18 years old Brazilian prospect Pedro Aristides Leopoldo is one of the most interesting guys in his weight division. He came to organization with outstanding amateur record 8-0 with great mix of 3 KOs, 4 submissions and only 1 decision. If add to that many medals and championships of brazilian jiu-jitsu homeland in few categories and belts stages- we have really nice recipe for a future star fighter. And in last days he made big step by signing his first professional contract with Crucible Fights from Vegas.

It is very young organization, but we must agree that it's absolutely interesting- it has taken together a lot of the best young fighters from all over the country and even abroad and gave them whole support they needed, created conditions to improve skills and focus on the only goal- become one day ultimate fighters. So it's the place where you can make The Big Shot or go home with nothing, focus and improve or waste your chance. Let's see what our guest have to say about it and even more.
 

Petro Sohitto- How did it happened that you are sitting now here and being professional mixed martial artsist?

Pedro Aristides Leopoldo- MMA is my number one passion, that's why. And of course i was lucky that Crucible Fights owner, mr. Tony Tiger- thanks to him- came to watch the event at which i fought. I won in third round by guillotine from standing after good well-rounded fight. Tony came to my locker room, said he was impressed and want to sign me into his new organization. So we met couple days later, he offered me a deal and i've signed it quickly. There is no time to waste when you talk about your dreams.

PS- And that's how dream came true?

PAL- Yeah, exactly. I love fighting, i've trained hard and now came opportunity to leave amateur bouts behind and start my pro record. Most funny is that from i heard, mr. Tiger came to bout, because of completely another fighter! That's what you call good timing (laughs)

PS- That was just 3 weeks ago. And now you have another bout tomorrow. And in addition it's not regular bout, but even a tournament where you will fight every day until you lose or win whole 16 fighters tournament. Aren't you afraid of small amount of time to prepare to those fights? Especially now, when you are professional fighter signed to organization completely not connected to that tournament?

PAL- That's funny, because tomorrow's tournament was going be my first fully professional debut. I had it contracted before we met with mr. Tiger, so i must fight- that's it. I can lack of conditioning a little, but that's how you develop. And you know what? I'm glad that i can step into the cage and test myself again. And about preparation- i'm trying to be always ready for next fight. After each fight you can find me at the gym next day in the early morning.

PS- it sounds quite rigorous, don't you think? Nowadays it's hard to find young person with such mental attitude.

PAL- That's why i'm here where i am- simple. And that beautiful feeling that when i'm working hard, my rival is sleeping. Or eating holiday's dinner with family. Or f*** his girlfriend, whatever. That's the definition of becoming someone.

PS- From small talk with your coach i heard that you weren't always as you are now. Can you tell me something about it?

PAL- That bastard (laughs). Yeah, that's truth and even more! To be honest- I owe my life to my coach. He saved me, showed me how some things work and how should some of them be done. And the most important from all, he gave me my passion and love- martial arts.

PS- Nicely said. But wait a moment please- he "saved you"? So where you think you would be without his help?

PAL- In some sort of troubles i guess (laughs). No, please, that's another me sitting in front of you know, so please leave that topic and focus on something another.

PS- Ok, no problem. So. Do you have any pre-fight rituals or superstitions that you do before fight?

PAL- Yeah, i do. First thing is that i'm shaving my head to some kind of mohawk you can see now on my head. But never shave my face in week i have a fight. Second- i absolutely always put on glove on my left hand first. I think it gives me luck. Don't ask me about those things, i don't know also why. It's just how it works. And i also wear the same compression shorts each fight, but I of course do wash them! (laughs)

PS- How do you spend your free time? What do you like to do to take your mind off of fighting?

PAL- Fighting is my life. If i'm not fighting i'd like to train, even all the time. But what else i do? Good movie or sometimes a book sounds nice to me, but it's hard to get my full interest.

PS- Fighting, fighting, fighting. But do you see yourself in BJJ or boxing only again? Even if it could be professional this time?

PAL- Noooo... I'm rather focused on what is going now, what i'm into for this moment. I have really big opportunity in mixed martial arts, so there don't exist anything else. I want to prove myself, work hard for my place in this sport and win some titles in it.

PS- That sounds very promising before tomorrow's fight. So, good luck tomorrow and thank you.

PAL- Thanks to you and all my fans!

P.S.

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