Pride Fighting Championships: First, Ninja, what did you think about Shogun's performance in the Opening Round?
Murilo Ninja: I think it was the best fight of the night. Shogun's striking and grappling are complete, and he fought aggressively, using everything he had...

Pride Fighting Championships: First, Ninja, what did you think about Shogun's performance in the Opening Round? Murilo Ninja: I think it was the best fight of the night. Shogun's striking and grappling are complete, and he fought aggressively, using everything he had. Pride: Did you give him any advice? Ninja: Not really but, before the fight, I told him to fight calmly. Pride: Were you aiming for the clinch from the beginning? Mauricio Shogun: Yes. Wanderlei, who has beaten Jackson twice, told me to. Pride: You found Jackson's weakness by watching his fight with Wanderlei? Shogun: Ninja and I watched Wanderlei and Jackson's fight many times. We were trying to figure out what techniques I could use well, not looking for Jackson's weak points, though. Pride: There are a lot of fighters in MMA that can't fight from the clinch, aren't there? Do you think that the clinch is a big advantage for Chute Boxe fighters? Shogun: Definitely. We do a lot of work on the clinch when we train. Pride: Clinching is effective in muay thai. Is it effective in MMA, too? Shogun: I don't make any distinction between muay thai and MMA. I have trained both since I joined Chute Boxe. I want to use more muay thai techniques from now on. Pride: It was reported in the media that you had trouble cutting weight for the Opening Round. Is that true? Shogun: No, not at all. I was just a little over (the weight limit) when I came to Japan. I got into the sauna and dropped to 93kg. Pride: Silva looked like he was in a bad mood? Shogun: Really? I didn't think so. Pride: Do you think Wanderlei Silva is Chute Boxe's symbol? Ninja: Yes, he's the top guy in Chute Boxe. Shogun: He's a good example for us. Pride: Who will you cheer if Shogun and Silva fight in the Finals? Ninja: Shogun, of course! Pride: Won't Silva get mad at you when he hears that? Ninja: Shogun is family, so there's no other choice (laughing) Pride: Do you also predict your brother will make it to the Final Round? Ninja: He definitely will. Pride: Have you imagined yourself actually fighting Silva? Shogun: I haven't thought that far ahead. I have to win the fight in June first. Pride: Who will be the biggest challenge in winning the Grand Prix? Shogun: That would be Wanderlei. Pride: What do you think of Silva's opponent this time, Nakamura? Shogun: Nakamura definitely has good technique and I think he's a fighter you have to be careful, but Wanderlei will definitely win. Pride: What do you think of each other? Shogun: I get a lot of advice from Ninja and there are a lot of things I can learn. I think he's the number 2 guy in Chute Boxe, right after Wanderlei. Ninja: Shogun is a fighter with a future. He'll be famous after he wins the Grand Prix. Pride: Is there anything that you want the other to improve? Ninja: I just want him to stop hitting me to wake me up so early in the morning. Shogun: That's because Shogun is lazy! I don't want to become lazy like Shogun. (laughing)