Ricardo Pires
Ricardo Pires is a multiple-time Pan-American champion, Brazilian champion, Rio de Janeiro State champion and Abu Dhabi (ADCC) trials runner-up.
BJJ and Professional soccer player Ricardo Pires
Ricardo, thanks for taking the time to do this interview. Could you give the readers a brief bio on yourself?
I’m 44 years old, married and the father of three. I’ve been doing BJJ for about 32 years now. I started with Marcos Soares, a Carlson Gracie Black Belt. I also played professional soccer in Brazil but always loved BJJ more.
Why did you decide to leave Vegas and what happened to the Las Vegas Combat Club?
I did not want to raise my kids there. I don’t think it is the right place for it. I don’t gamble, I don’t drink, and no drugs or night life so Vegas was never the place I wanted to spend the rest of my life at. I have a great gratitude towards the people of Las Vegas; they were great to me and I miss them but it was time for me to move.
When I left Vegas, I passed the Las Vegas Combat Club on to Cameron Diffley, free of charge. He has changed the name to Legion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is doing an awesome job.
Since leaving Vegas, where have you been training?
I trained at Oswaldo Alves’ and also at the main Gracie Barra school with Jefferson Moura.
Oswaldo Alves has been linked to several of the top guys in the sport such as Jacare, Fredson Paxiao, Sergio Penha, and yourself. What do you think makes his guys so successful?
The way Oswaldo thinks of BJJ is very unique. He incorporated Judo to the BJJ and it worked very well. All of his guys are top notch and very well conditioned, except for me, haha!
Who are some of the guys that you have trained with that impressed you the most?
So many…but Fredson Paixao, Gabriel Kitober, and Jefferson Moura are a few of the ones that I hated to train with, haha. Very tough guys with incredible skills!
You played soccer professionally in Brazil which is a huge accomplishment. Can you talk about the experience and why did you decide to quit soccer?
I had a great time playing soccer. I played with the best: Romario, Aldair, Mozer, Zico, etc. It was one of the best times in my life but when I started playing soccer I was too young. I was 13 years old and the way they treated me was like I was a professional. No partying, no playing, no jokes, etc. So I couldn’t take it for too long. I was a kid from Copacabana with the beautiful beaches and girls! So keeping my mind focused wasn’t very easy.
Today, I regret it because it could have been great but my life has moved on and I’m even happier with BJJ.
You just recently moved back to the U.S. and opened up a school in Cleveland. What made you decide to move back and why Cleveland?
Mike Riedel was the number one reason that I came. Mike has been a student and friend of mine for a long time. He is from Cleveland and traveled to Vegas many times to come train with me at the Combat Club. I visited Mike earlier in the year and things just went from there.
But the reason that is making me stay is being surrounded by guys like you. It is unbelievable how friendly people are here; more so than anywhere else I have been. Also, the possibility of starting a new era of BJJ in an area where there is no other BJJ black belt, at least that I know of.
Can you tell us a little bit about your new school?
I’ve started to take it a lot more serious than I did before. I have my own style of teaching but I have incorporated a way of being more professional. For example, starting class on time (sharp!), having a program set up for months in advance, and building a solid curriculum are a few things that we have implemented at the new academy.
We have a very clean 2,500 square foot facility, with lockers, showers, classes 6 days a week, and 15 classes per week. Readers cam check out our website at Ricardo Pires BJJ in Cleveland, Ohio
What are your goals for the school?
We want to have 3 schools in the Cleveland area (east, west, and south) in a 3 year timeframe. The main goal is to bring more BJJ to Cleveland. I am talking about real BJJ with the gi. We want to keep a great atmosphere, no politics and no bad-mouthing anyone. An atmosphere where you can enjoy training and life.
How would you describe your style of jiu-jitsu?
Patient, but always ready for the finish. I don’t like points; I know they are important but I really like submissions and that is what I am always looking for. I like to put pressure all the time until you give me something!
Frank Mir was one of your most well-known students when you were in Vegas. Are you still in contact with him?
Yes, he is a great guy!
What are your thoughts on his last fight with Brock Lesnar?
Fighter’s mind set. I told him before the fight, throw 2 or 3 punches and get out. What did he do in the second round? He got booed and decided to go for the kill. Big mistake!!! A guy that big and strong he was also aware of what Frank had, he should have surprised him by avoiding the fight for 2 or 3 rounds!
What do you feel is the best strategy for a jiu-jitsu guy against an opponent with Brock’s size and power?
Like I said, when you fight a guy that is that big and that strong, you have to be very far or 100% close. You have to move, make him come after you, and you have to play a little bull.
When Frank was on The Ultimate Fighter, he told a story about how he received his black belt. Through creative editing, it was portrayed that you told him that he had to break Tim Sylvia’s arm in order to get his black belt. What is your side of the story?
Haha, as a matter of fact, I told him that it was a horrible armbar! But I did tell him that every time he has a submission, he has to be serious about it; don’t let go until your opponent taps…that doesn’t mean break it, it means don’t let go. I think what he said was more like, “Do I have to break somebody’s arm to get my black belt?” And no, he didn’t have to, he deserved that belt.
Out of all the fights that you’ve been involved with, which one is most memorable for you?
Frank and Travern was one that I really enjoyed. But Rick Davis vs. Henry Matamoros and Rick Davis vs. Charles “Crazy Horse” Bennet were also great! Baroni and Suloev was good too.
What other plans do you have for the future?
Stay in Cleveland and watch this sport grow stronger here.
Thanks for taking the time to do this interview. Any last comments?
Thank you Cleveland for having me here.
If anyone is ever in the Cleveland area, please stop by at the academy. Check us out at Ricardo Pires Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. We are also on Twitter at http://twitter.com/RicardoPiresBJJ and Facebook at Ricardo Pires BJJ
Quick Hits
Favorite Takedown: Uchimata
Favorite Submission: Wrist locks
How many days a week do you train? 5
Favorite music to train to: So many!
Ratio of drilling to sparring you recommend? 40-60
Favorite thing to do outside of grappling: Being with my family
Favorite jiu-jitsu guys to watch: Margarida, Leo Vieria, Jacare, Roger.
Biggest mistake that new grapplers make: They don’t open their minds
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