Diego Saraiva
DOB: 04 / 23 / 82
Height: 5'6"
Weight: 155
Birthplace: Fontaleza, Brazil
Teaches: Jiu Jitsu
Fighting Styles: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai
Years of experience: 10
Belts and Rank: Black Belt in BJJ
NHB Record: 3-1
Accomplishments:
96-2002 Ceara State Champion in Brazil, 3X Brazilian North/North East Champion, 2X Brazilian National Champion, 2003 Pan American Bronze Medalist, 2004 NAGA National GI and NOGI Champion, 2006 Budwieser Cup GI and Pro NOGI Champion, 2006 Nation Champion

interview by: Cliff Fretwell

Your primarily a Muay Thai fighter and had a couple Pro boxing matches, seeing a lot of stand up fighters having success in Mixed Martial Arts these days have you thought about giving it a shot?
No, I'd love to learn the ground game, but I will most likely never get to fight MMA.

What experiences that you have had in the ring help you better prepare for a fight?
My first fight in the USA, against world champion Yves Samaki, made me realize never to underestimate an opponent, under train and make sure you moderately trust the promoter.

What lead to you getting into fight game?
My father had my brother and I box as kids. We were small kids and we would get beat up pretty well everytime we sparred so we took up Japanese karate. We could beat even blackbelts with our boxing backrounds & once I got old enough, I started boxing again with a different coach.

What advantages or disadvantages do you think there are to working and training at a gym?
Advantages-there are always sparring partners available. Disadvantages-Burnout comes real quick!!!

What do you think separates people that get into the fight sport (Boxing, Muay Thai, MMA etc) for survival/self defense as opposed to for just the sport of it or for a living?
In my world there are 2 kinds of people....Martial artists, who fight, make a living out of coaching or just really enjoy training hard & then martial arts enthusiasts who enjoy hanging out with fighters or trainers, talking the talk, just for the hell off it. Nothing wrong with either.

What music/artist(s) gets you the most hype for training and for a fight?
I'm old school...AC DC,Metallica etc,but I love hip hop as well.

You recently won the middle weight Knuckle Up Title belt, when and where can we expect you to be defending it and possibly who against?
January, possibly...maybe Zack Day or Mushin Corrbrey, at Cowboys.

You’ve had a chance to fight at a bunch of venues all over, what is the best and worse venue you have ever fought in and why?
The best Tabernacle(ESPN live boxing match). The worst, the barn in Valdosta.(Should speak for itself)

What’s in your CD player right now?
David Gray

What if any misconceptions about Muay Thai fighting do you think keep it from being main stream in the US. K1 has seen great success even in the US but most believe mainly do to just shear financial backing? Many US non thai people tend to sometimes clinch to much & that makes for a boring fight. Along with mainstream advertising, we have enough exciting fighters here in the US to make it happen.

Staying fit during the winter
 You don't have to abandon your exercise routine in cold weather. Stay motivated and fit by choosing indoor exercise options, dressing properly and staying safe when you exercise outdoors.

Cold weather might make you feel like hibernating, but you don't have to give up your exercise and fitness goals. You can exercise indoors. And by dressing properly and heeding cold-weather safety tips, you can usually exercise outdoors year-round.
Maintain your motivation

To keep yourself motivated, focus on what you'll gain if you keep up your exercise routine throughout the cold-weather season. You'll continue to reap the short- and long-term benefits of exercise. And you'll be in better shape when the weather warms up.

Exercise can help shake those winter blues, improve your mood, increase your energy level and help you sleep better. Try to set aside 30 minutes or more on most days of the week for physical activity. It doesn't have to be all in one stretch. You can work it in a little here or there. And it doesn't have to be strenuous. Make a workout of household cleaning. Or walk the stairs in your home if you can't make it to your gym. Whatever you choose, balance the four main types of exercise — aerobic exercise, strength training, balance and flexibility.

For example, mall walk for aerobic exercise, and on alternate days lift hand weights for strength. Work out at home with a video or sign up for a class for balance and flexibility. And stretch slowly for flexibility before and after you exercise.

Don't be too hard on yourself if you miss a day. Just get back on schedule as soon as possible. For extra motivation, work out with your spouse or a friend.


source mayoclinic.com
This month's move is brought to you by one of our proffessional instructors and fighters Diego Saraiva and our official move of the month sponsor Fightmoves.com.

Gaining back control from your opponents open guard
When facing an opponent with an open guard, control both legs and push them forward to the mat behind his head, keeping your hips close to his. Reach across your opponents hips and thread your arm across his waste. While continuing to thread your arm across his waste begin to tuck your head like your doing a forward roll.

During your roll slide your free arm around the back of your opponent. Continuing with the roll attempt to lock hands around your opponents waste to secure his body tight to yours. Once the roll is complete you should end up in a crab ride with your opponent secured, both hooks in and control of his upper body.
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