Gurgel: I live in Sao Paulo (Brazil) now, but grew up in Rio. I�m 6 feet tall and 200 pounds. I was the 1994 and 1995 Brazilian Heavyweight Jiu-Jitsu Champion.

Interviewer: Have you ever had a Vale Tudo fight?

Gurgel: Yes, and you�ve probably seen it, too. You just don�t know it (laughs). In 1991 I fought Denilson Maia, a Luta Livre fighter, in a match on Brazilian television. Rorion (Gracie) later put it on Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in Action #2�it�s the last fight on the tape.

Interviewer: I did see that fight. I remember that you won rather handily.

Gurgel: (shrugs)I was having a good hair day (he brushes his hand over his shaved head), just like today (laughs). I do feel good about that fight, since I won, of course. Even so, I feel like I�ve learned a lot since then. I�m going to need it, too, against all the tough guys in the UFC.

Interviewer: How long have you been doing Jiu-Jitsu?

Gurgel: I�ve been studying Jiu-Jitsu from the Gracie family for 15 years now, and got my black belt from Jacar� (Romero Calvacante), who was the last person to get a black belt from Rolls (Gracie).

Interviewer: Wasn�t Rolls the last Gracie Family Champion before Rickson?

Gurgel: Yes, Rolls died at 32 and only awarded 5 black belts ever, and Jacar� was the last. The other four are no longer teaching, so Jacar� carries on Rolls� style.

Interviewer: Do you still study with Jacar�?

Gurgel: Yes, whenever I come to America. Jacar� is a master of Jiu-Jitsu, and there is still much he can teach me. He has a school in Miami now and teaches there. Whatever I learn from him, I take back to my own schools in Brazil. I have four of them in different cities with over 700 students. Because Jacar� is one of my teachers, my schools are still associated with him.

Interviewer: You said �one of my teachers.� Do you have another?

Gurgel: Yes, Rickson Gracie. I studied with him also in Brazil and have been coming to Los Angeles, off and on, for nearly eight years to take lessons.

Interviewer: That�s a long way to study with just one man.

Gurgel: (laughs) Rickson is more than just one man�he feels like 5 when you�re fighting him. You have to sacrifice, sometimes, to study with the best, and Rickson is the best. I feel lucky, really. In the entire history of the Gracie Family, there have been many wonderful fighters, but only four �great� champions: Helio, Carlson, Rolls, and Rickson. I�ve been (associated) with two of them. One directly (Rickson) and one thru Jacar� (Rolls).

Interviewer: What�s it like training with Rickson?

Traven: (breaking in, laughing) Very humbling.

Interviewer: What is the one thing you�ve learned most from wrestling Rickson?

Traven: (still laughing) How to tap out. I�m getting very good at it.

Gurgel: (laughing also) With Rickson you have to learn to tap many different ways since your arms are often not free: the nose tap, the ear tap, the elbow tap . . .

Traven: Don�t forget the eye tap�blink three times fast.

Interviewer: You seem very relaxed, given that the UFC is less than a week away.

Gurgel: I am relaxed, yes, but (I) also am focused. I have fought so many tournaments that I no longer get nervous before a fight. I only think on what I have to do to win.

Interviewer: And what�s that?

Gurgel: Stay centered and always be aware of my (body) position. Anticipate my opponent�s intentions from (where he has shifted) his weight. In this way, I can read his mind. Be the eye in the middle of the storm. Still, but not stagnant�ready, but not anxious. (he smiles) Plus a little luck doesn�t hurt.

Interviewer: Have you seen tapes of the previous UFC fights?

Gurgel: Yes, there are many dangerous fighters. Because of my Jiu-Jitsu training, I feel comfortable competing against fighters of my own weight, regardless of their style. I would be crazy, though, to not be concerned about the giants�Tank Abbot and Mark Coleman. Against opponents so large and strong, you can afford no technical mistakes. Even a small one can mean the end. There is no room for error.

Interviewer: Judging from Roberto, though, you�re used to training with big men. How big are you Roberto?

Traven: 6'3 and 220 pounds. (laughs) But still growing.

Interviewer: Have you fought a Vale Tudo before?

Traven: No, but I was the 1995 Brazilian Super-Heavyweight Jiu-Jitsu Champion, so I feel I�ve earned the right to compete in one.

Interviewer: Do you train with Fabio?

Traven: I did train with him but now I have three schools of my own, with over 300 students. I share many of his fighting beliefs, though, since I also received my black belt from Jacar�.

Interviewer: You�ve never seen your alternate match opponent, Dave Berry, fight. Is that a problem?

Traven: No, because he has also never seen me fight. I think that is more of a problem for him.

Interviewer: How about you, Fabio? Do you know much about your first opponent, Jerry Bohlander?

Gurgel: Just the tape I saw. I know he trains with Ken Shamrock, so he will be a tough guy with much heart and courage. He will be ready for me, so I must be ready for him.

Interviewer: Speaking of fighters not competing, who do you think are the best all-time UFC fighters?

Gurgel: Royce Gracie is the best, without a doubt. Then probably Marco Ruas, then Taktarov, next maybe Fry�after that take your pick.

Interviewer: Is your grappling style similar to that of Marco Ruas or Royce Gracie?

Gurgel: I would say neither. Royce�s style, I think, centers around his flexibility and in waiting for his opponent to move. He is more of a counter-puncher. I think I am more aggressive. Which is not to say better, by any means, only different. Ruas is a completely different matter. He is an excellent fighter to be sure. But he is mainly a kick-boxer who trained later as a grappler. So he has the instincts of a puncher and kicker. I�m a Jiu-Jitsu fighter, so I won�t think to punch first and grapple later.

Interviewer: What�s your answer to those who say Ruas can beat Rickson?

Gurgel: Pure fantasy. Only outside of Brazil could someone make such a statement without getting laughter. In Brazil, everyone knows. There is only one Rickson Gracie and he is on a different level from everyone else.

Interviewer: How will your life change if you win the UFC?

Gurgel: I am not thinking such thoughts now. I am only focusing on what I have to do in the ring against my opponents. Everything but that is a distraction.

Interviewer: Good luck to you both, Fabio and Roberto. We look forward to seeing you both in the octagon.