SYR- So what next for Javier Vazquez
JV- I’m fighting in Japan next week vs. Rumina Sato
SYR- How did you get lined up a big name like Rumina Sato?
JV- Actually they came to me, I guess about 6 months ago Terry (king of the cage) offered Shooto if he wanted to come fight me here in the states. After my last fight we got the call and they to fly me out there.
SYR- Rumina is know for his acrobatic style, do you have a set game plan going into the match?
JV- Yes, I got to stop that. I have realistic game plan. It has the potential to be one of those matches because of him. He can probably bring out the best in me. I think he’s going to push me to the edge just to see how good I am. As far as wrestling he’s got nothing on me. As far as striking I don’t think he much better than I am. I think it’s going to be hell of a fight for me. His style no matter what will give me a hard time. I think there are other top guys out there that will give me an easier fight then him.
SYR- Any big fights after Shooto that you would like to fight?
JV- I always want to fight PRIDE, UFC I don’t know if the moneys right. But as far as individual fighters there are a group of fighters that I would like to fight.
SYR- Anybody impractical that you would like to fight?
JV- Pulver, Serra, and Uno most of the guys in the UFC, right now this is such an important fight, this is all I’m thinking about. But if I win hopefully I can make a career in Shooto or Japan.
SYR- So is it going to be a big transfer for you going from KOTC rules to Shooto rules?
JV- I think most of the rules are the same, if anything I think there are more rules over there in Japan. I don’t think you can elbow or forearm. I think you can elbow on the feet but not on the ground. That’s going to bad because I like to use elbows but pretty much everything all the same. Maybe getting used to the gloves would be about it. Other stuff like fighting in the ring instead of in the in a cage. I know how to use the cage, but I like to fight in the middle of the ring, which I prefer. I think the fighting in the ring allows more submission because when A guys in trouble he can pin you up against the cage.
SYR- So what a brief history on yourself.
JV- I started as a wrestler in junior college. Three years in high school. Then after all that I ended up hooking up with betissi monserri he introduced me to the sport. Within about a year and a half I started doing some open hand tournaments and I continued doing jiu-jistu tournaments. Eventually my name was growing a little then Terry came up with KOTC and I ended up fighting three. Ever since then my ways have changed a lot. I don’t have to learn how to stike, my wrestling was way above anybody else’s. Now days you just have to learn how to strike or most of all survive.
SYR- It’s a more complex game to what NHB used to be now days?
JV- Stand up has changed the sport; it used to be stand up once in a while but there standing fighters up all the time now. Now you have to learn to strike. I didn’t want to know how had no real interest in it, but now its pretty fun. I have stand up its just I have not used it yet.
SYR- You’re currently a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from Rodrigo Medeiros?
JV- Yes, I kind of done with tournament (BJJ)
SYR- You have pretty impressive record over the last five years, do you know of head about how many tournaments/competitions you have won/loss.
JV -I have won about 30 tournaments and I have about 60 wins and 5/6 losses. After a while I kind of lose track
SYR- Do you feel its in grappling it is more challenge with the gi or without the gi?
JV -I think no gi is a little harder due to the sweat element. With the gi it says consistent, you don’t have to worry about people slipping out. As soon as you start adding in the sweat factor I think it’s a lot harder to pass the guard, score points, and keep position no gi.
SYR -Who are some guys that you have challenges on the mat that you give high marks too?
JV- I would say Eddie†twister†bravo, every match is real close. He always gives me a tough time.
SYR- So whom do you train with now days?
JV- I train with Jason, Romie Aram and I have been training a lot with John Alesio, Tim “Crazy Tim†Credeur, Rodrigo Medeiros, JJ Machado.
SYR- Who are some of the Guys that you think have change the sport?
JV- My weight personally I feel Jens Pulver, Uno, Sato, Frank Shamrock, and BJ Penn. Your starting to see guys that are well rounded but are very specialized. Guys like Sakuraba that are always coming up with new things. I have a lot new thing I just have not been able to show because I have not been pushed, when I get pushed I will get to show a lot of stuff that nobody else does. Hopefully one day I will be somewhat like an innovator.
SYR- Going back to the Bj Penn you guys challenged as blue belts years back. How was that?
JV- I have nothing but respect for the guy. One of the nicest guys you will ever meet. We have always had a mutual respect towards each other. I think he is a great competitor.
SYR- Have you been to been any other place besides the USA to train?
JV- I was going to go to Brazil for the worlds this year. But this fight with Rumina came up so scratch that!
SYR- Do you ever feel that in the future you want to compete in the worlds/pan-ams?
JV- I wanted to do it this year (worlds). Pan-Ams are always on the other side of the country. I don’t know why there not here the best guys are from out here. I have fought guys who have won the pan ams and beat them, so it doesn’t mean that much to me. I would like to win the worlds.
So is there anybody that you would like to train with that you have not?
Rickson, Royce, and JJ Machado but I trained with him now. But Rickson because he is supposes to be the best!
SYR- What’s up with the pink trunks? Any real reason?
JV- Well the first trunks were pink I was thinking of trying different ones for every fight like pokemon, cowboy. Just in different characters. But the pink trunks got a real crazy response. Some people though I was hilarious and the others thought I was gay. But got a good response from it. But for the record I’m not gay! But for the Sato fight it’s going to be something different.
SYR- Is there any other you would like to add in the interview?
JV- You can check out my site at me at www.millenniajiujitsu.com. I would like to thank my team Romie, Tim, Jason, John, Rodrigo, JJ Machado, Terry (KOTC), Mark, and superman. I would like to thank my family and lastly my father. Who just recently pasted away. I want to dedicate this fight to him.
Thank you Javier
Shoyoroll Quick 10
1. Best NHB Fighter? Mishima, Pequeno,
2. Best Grappler (no-gi)? unknown
3. Best Jiu-Jitsu Artist? BJ Penn
4. Your mentor? Victor Romo, Larry Mantunabi, Rodrigo Medeiros, John Ouano, Betssi mansurri
5. Favorite kimono? Ouano
6. Best place to train? Millennia Jiu-Jitsu
7. Good Things to do before Competition/Fight? Warm up, Visualizing, Relax
8. Best Trainer/Teacher? Betissi, Tim, Rodrigo, Jason, Romie, Rodrigo
9. Hottest girl out there? My Girlfriend, Swear to God
10. What do you do for fun? Watch Fights, Hangout, Race Remote Control Cars
