Tony: Thanks again Andre for sitting with me for this interview.
Andre: Sure man! Don t worry about it. For me it’s a pleasure!

Tony: Let’s go back and talk about your jiu-jitsu background for those who don’t know your background.
Andre: Ok! I'm a world champion. I won every important tournament in BJJ. Just in black belt I won 3 world champion, 4 Pan ams and 3 Brazilian championships. So I think I’m ready to fight MMA. That is new for me, and it makes me happy, I just wanna take a new challenge and up grade my professional life.

Tony: When did you first start training in jiu-jitsu?
Andre: I started in 1999 in Sao Jose dos Campos-SP Brazil, with Professor Careca...before that I was training Judo for 3 years. I'm very blessed, because I never had to pay for training in all my life because my family did not have money. I am very focused on winning every tournament and to make my dreams happen. I thank my Lord Jesus Christ!

Tony: Did jiu-jitsu come easy to you in the beginning?
Andre: I think so...my professors told me I had a talent to do it. But they told me to train very hard, because if you don't, you can't make yourself a champion! I'm very curious too. Maybe this helped me to learn BJJ too.

Tony: Did competition come easy for you or was that a process?
Andre: It's a process man! Every year you learn something different. Always I gain experience, and the time of the positions. I love to compete. I love what I do. This is very important to achieve success and to win!

Tony: Was there ever a point in your jiu-jitsu career where you wanted to stop?
Andre: No, never. I love to fight. I love the competitions. I love challenges. This is because I don’t think about that!

Tony: And at this point right now in your training, what is a training schedule like for you before a bjj tournament?
Andre: I just train circuit training, explosive training, and a lot of drills. One week before, I train less.

Tony: Just recently you had your first MMA bout, congratulations on the win?
Andre: Thank you so much. Thanks to my Lord Jesus for giving that challenge for me. I also thank all my sponsors: Sinister, Posto do acai, Vinac consorcios and all my friends and trainers!

Tony: The transition from jiu-jitsu to MMA, was it hard for you?
Andre: I don't think so. Because the jiu-jitsu is the ultimate fighting style to learn and I’m a Black belt in BJJ. And for me the MMA is much easier than BJJ. Because you just fight only one time that day and the BJJ I sometimes fight up to 10 in just one day...MMA its nice too…I love that!

Tony: Is dieting hard for you before a fight?
Andre: No, It’s ok for me. I cut my weight easy and I feel very good when I'm training hard and dieting. I do it all for the fight...for what I love...the Fight!

Tony: Do you maintain a good diet after a fight/tournament?
Andre: Yes, I just eat a little bit more sugar after the fight, just to kill my urge for sugars. Then I get back again to my diet and supplement foods.

Tony: Do you at one point want to fight for the big venues like: UFC, WEC, EliteXC?
Andre: For sure! That's why I dedicate my life to training.

Tony: Aside from training and teaching, what do you do outside of work as an escape?
Andre: I dedicate myself to God. I go to church. Play with my daughter. Surf, go to the beach, play soccer, go out with my family. I do many things like that, all natural and healthy things.

Tony: What can we expect to see from you in the near future?
Andre: UFC champion. That is my dream and I will make this real. I will because I train hard and I have faith in Jesus!

Tony: Any last words to your fans, training partners, etc?
Andre: Yes...I just want to say thanks to my Lord Jesus, all my fans, my training partners, my wife who understands my life style and helps me a lot. All sponsors for believing in me. My friends Marcio Reis, Mario, Alexandro and Ramon Lemos!

Tony: Thanks again Andre.
Andre: Thanks to you bro! Thank you so much!