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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief Following his unanimous decision in the UFC's official "Fight of the Night" at UFC 91, Jorge Gurgel was released and immediately signed to a deal with Strikeforce. He joined Gary Herman at FiveOuncesOfPain.com for an interview and touched on a number of things, including his release, the quick signage to Strikeforce, Dustin Hazelett and more.
When discussing the release from the UFC, Gurgel was heartbroken, but understanding. "I’m not surprised from Joe Silva’s standpoint. I’m very good friends with Joe Silva, and we’ve known each other for a very long time. He called and said that he hates to do this, but you’ve lost two in a row. The losses were mainly due to me being stupid though," Gurgel said.
He commented on his loss ot Aaron Riley at UFC 91, saying "I won the first round, and somehow, my retarded head veered from the game plan, and I was having too much fun striking when I should have taken him to the ground to submit him...This is a business. I lost two in a row. It’s heartbreaking, but it’s not like I’m going to look down and pick up an alcohol habit. They cut me."
Gurgel said he knew there was a possibility he could be released, and so he "told [his manager, Monte Cox] that if I get released, which I knew it was a possibility, even though everyone told me it wouldn’t happen because I almost always get fight of the night. When the UFC officially sent me the devastating e-mail that I had been released, not only did I get a lot of calls from the UFC, I got a lot of calls from a lot of different people."
He clarified his post release events a bit later, saying "When I thought the release was possible, I spoke with my manager Monte to make sure things were set. He got in touch with Strikeforce because Strikeforce has good relations with the UFC...I do not want to go to a place that the UFC does not like and have the possibility of getting black-listed. Strikeforce was the first option...[Monte] did not want to put me out on the market. He just wanted me to be happy, and he felt I’d be happy at Strikeforce."
Off of the release subject, he was asked about Dustin Hazelett, his stand out Jiu Jitsu black belt that has come out of his training camp to be one of the best in the cage when it comes to that discipline. Gurgel said "I’m responsible for all of that brother. He’s my kid. He’s my black belt. Dustin is the ultimate student. He has no ego whatsoever. He’s always willing to learn. When I learn new things, the first person I teach is Dustin. He’s always up for learning. If I say to do something one hundred times, he does it one hundred times. Dustin Hazelett made himself what he is from believing in his coach and having one of the greatest work ethics outside of myself and Rich Franklin. Dustin is a submission master. I am very proud of what he’s accomplished."
Off that note he talked about still cornering his fighters in the UFC and vice versa, saying "I don’t think the UFC dislikes me at all. Rich Franklin will be cornering me at Strikeforce, and I’ll be cornering him with the UFC."
He finishes off the interview with a little look ahead, as he says "[t]he next thing is to rehab my elbow and get back into fighting shape. After that, I want to schedule a fight with Strikeforce. I want to find an opponent, a location, and a date...Fighting is what motivates to get up every morning. I am very re-energized to get going."
Penick's Analysis This is good interview with Jorge. Of course he's heartbroken and disappointed with the release, but at the same time he realizes why it happened. He knows he made some mistakes in some of his decision-making during his fights, and as such he knew it was a possible outcome that he'd be scratched. It's good to hear that he seems to be content with landing with Strikeforce, and he's ready to get training and fighting again as soon as he can. He's a top flight Jiu Jitsu guy, so hopefully he sticks to his word and we'll be able to see that out of him in Strikeforce.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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