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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
One of the most impressive performances on Saturday's UFC on FX 8 card in Brazil was also one of the least surprising, as former Strikeforce Champion Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza dispatched of Chris Camozzi with a first round arm triangle choke. It's a move Souza feels is one of his best, and as soon as he got it locked on he knew Camozzi would be finished in short order.
"All my life I was very good in that move; now I'm really practicing it a lot," Souza said after the event (transcribed by MMAJunkie.com). "I'm also doing a lot of cardio work, so obviously I'm much stronger. When I held my opponent, I heard his neck snapping, so I knew he was either going to tap out or pass out."
"When I had him in the position, I was sure he would tap out because I was really tight. I felt his neck kind of getting slimmer, so I was sure he was going to tap out. I was just like celebrating already. You know that fantastic, perfect move? That's what I felt. I felt it was a perfect move. So I really practiced a lot – 200, 300 – every day I tried to do it, and when we get the hold, I'm sure we're going to get it, and that's what happened."
Souza fought a dominant and complete fight, controlling the fight in every aspect before scoring the submission win. It was extremely impressive work, and the Brazilian submission specialist fed off a hot crowd in Joragua do Sul in the first fight he's had in his home country since 2007.
"The emotion I felt when I was going into the cage, there are no words to explain it," Souza said. "I could just tell I was exploding with happiness. So when I walked in, and I heard the crowd, there was a moment when I just started jumping, and I said, 'Now I cannot let this crowd down. This crowd is fantastic, and I have to do my best.'"
"That's what happened. I did my best, and I got a submission."
Penick's Analysis: Jacare was fantastic on Saturday night, and even though most expected him to do just what he did, it was still just a treat to watch. He's so good on the ground, and his striking is also coming along very well; it's just a great combination, and it will be a thrill to see him continue on in the UFC after that debut.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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Frank Hyden - Rich Hansen
Chris Park - Matt Pelkey
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