10 Questions With Diego Saraiva (4/13/2010)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With Diego Saraiva (by Darrick Patrick)

Diego "The Octopus" Saraiva is a professional mixed martial artist who has appeared in organizations such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Tachi Palace Fights, Sportfight X, Wild Bill's Fight Night, Palace Fighting Championship, EVO MMA, American Fight League, Georgia Fighting Championships, World Extreme Fighting, Full Throttle, International Sport Combat Federation, and Absolute Fighting Championships. At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Joe Soto in Bellator Fighting Championships at BFC 19 on May 20th, 2010.

Darrick: What was the path that led you to competing professionally in mixed martial arts?

Diego: I think it's in the blood. I started Jiu-Jitsu really young and I have always competed at tournaments, so competition itself has always been my drive.

Darrick: Any words of advice for other individuals looking to compete in MMA?

Diego: Train first and make sure you’re well-prepared before you start. I see a bunch of guys coming into the gym their first day saying, "I wanna' fight MMA." I say just calm down and train first. Cover the basics such as Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, and wrestling. Then we’ll talk.

Darrick: Who are a few of the people in the sport that you highly respect?

Diego: I respect everybody that deserves respect. The real men, not the guys that talk a bunch of trash.

Darrick: Your next scheduled match is against Joe Soto on May 20th. What are your thoughts about this upcoming fight?

Diego: He’s a tough opponent, for sure. I’ve fought tough guys before though and I will make sure that I am in my best shape for this fight. I respect him as a fighter, but in the cage whoever is best that day will win.

Darrick: What brings you the most fulfillment out of martial arts?

Diego: The fans. The people. The feeling of victory. You can't beat that.

Darrick: Who is someone that greatly influenced you while growing up?

Diego: My Jiu-Jitsu instructor in Brazil. His name is Guilherme Santos. He taught me Jiu-Jitsu, but most important he taught me how to be a real man.

Darrick: Outside of MMA, what are your other interests?

Diego: I just like to go hang out with my friends, just like any normal guy. Just go out and have fun. I also enjoy spending time with my dog.

Darrick: When you're no longer amongst the living, how would you most like to be remembered?

Diego: Man, I don’t want die anytime soon so hopefully this won't matter at any point in the near future. When that happens though, I want be remembered simply for who I was.

Darrick: Tell us something about you that most people don't know.

Diego: Even though I fight in mixed martial arts, I’m a real family man. My family comes first. Whatever they need, I’ll be there for them. I consider my good friends as family too.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Diego: I was seventeen years old for my first MMA fight and had never trained in striking. I fought a professional Thai boxer and MMA fighter. The guy beat my ass for sixteen minutes, two eight-minute rounds. He stomped on my head, kicked my head, etc. In Brazil, the ref doesn’t stop the fight unless you give up and I didn’t. After that, I had to go to the hospital and get surgery. Everybody shook my hand after the fact though and said, "Kid, you’re a warrior.” It took me three years to get back into mixed martial arts, and during those three years I started training in striking.

FOR OTHER EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS BY DARRICK PATRICK:

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=4974388&blogID=343519835

You can also check out Diego Saraiva in the following places:

Official Diego Saraiva MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/46855566

Official Diego Saraiva Facebook Site:

http://www.facebook.com/people/Diego-Saraiva/661830190

Saraiva MMA Website:

http://www.saraivamma.com

Diego Saraiva on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Diego-Saraiva-9534

Diego Saraiva Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/9534