Ricardo Arona eyes return to Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) in 2009

by Jesse Holland on Jan 15, 2009 5:39 PM EST

"I’ve got news, I want to fight at ADCC 2009. My idea is to talk to the organizers and see if there’s a possibility of my being invited, for all the titles I’ve won at the event. I don’t really want to go through the trials in Rio, especially since it’s already too close to the event to be able to train properly. That’s why my idea is to go straight into the main tournament, to go right up against all the toughest from around the world. I even called up Paulo [Filho] to see if he’d get motivated about participating, but he says he doesn’t want to. So I came up with the organizers’ Email, and I’ll be contacting them to see about an invite. I’m excited."

-Former PRIDE light heavyweight standout and ADCC champion Ricardo Arona aims for a return to the grappling tournament that made him famous in 2000 and 2001 by leapfrogging his way past the trials right into the main tournament. Nothing is certain at this point, but the Brazilian sounds as if he’s ready to get back to competition. He has not seen action since a knockout loss to Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou at Pride 34: "Kamikaza" in April 2007. It was his third loss in four fights — a tough stretch for a very talented fighter.

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Comments

I wish i could fly there to watch this competition. I wonder how much a ticket to the UAE costs?

by El_Mexicutioner, formerly The_Mexicutioner on Jan 15, 2009 7:02 PM EST reply actions

El…They’ll have US East coast and West coast Trials. It’s TBD right now.
Check out www.ADCCUSA.com

by Ground-Game on Jan 16, 2009 2:55 AM EST up reply actions

I have a friend called Google who might be able to find out for you…lol

by Ca$z on Jan 16, 2009 5:20 AM EST up reply actions

I didnt think Filho would be to interested.

by BMO on Jan 15, 2009 7:05 PM EST reply actions

lol Go figure

by hank on Jan 15, 2009 7:31 PM EST up reply actions

He’s gonna get in. He’s probly doing it to sub/beat Fedor at absolute and use that to propel his status into the UFC. Clever seeing how he did a great job of LnP’ing him back in Rings.

by NameNotRequired on Jan 15, 2009 7:42 PM EST up reply actions

you bitter bra?

by midwestbred on Jan 15, 2009 7:51 PM EST up reply actions

Since there were no strikes on the ground in those fights, what the fuck was he going to do he wasn’t going to catch Fedor.

by Tyler on Jan 15, 2009 7:52 PM EST up reply actions

Don’t get me wrong, i have no problem with LnP. It’s a proven strategy that works. I actually find it interesting to see guys trying to get around it. I was just offering my thoughts on why he would go to grappling as opposed to signing with a crap MMA org.

by NameNotRequired on Jan 15, 2009 8:33 PM EST up reply actions

There are strikes in Rings on the ground, just not to the head.

I agree he probably wants to sub Fedor if possible. It would be a good match actually considering he wont have to worry about Fedor wailing on him from the guard.

by Ca$z on Jan 16, 2009 5:19 AM EST up reply actions

haha its the greatest that he has his little mini me filho i just find that crazy how simliar they are but this dudes a good fighter id love to see him in the octagon

by Jared on Jan 15, 2009 7:14 PM EST reply actions

Rampage Slam Knockout…That’s all I can remember about this dude.

by BrutalKnockout. on Jan 15, 2009 7:40 PM EST reply actions

that was great, but he is a great fighter

by roy on Jan 15, 2009 7:47 PM EST up reply actions

It was a headbutt, and if that’s all you remember about Arona start watching some more MMA. There is better shit out there than Spike T.V.

by Tyler on Jan 15, 2009 7:54 PM EST up reply actions

Soo you really could’ve gone about that comment differently. Instead of bashing the dude maybe you could of been less of a dick and said something like “hey watch his fights in Pride Final Conflict or Shockwave 05 if you haven’t seen much Arona.” but that dick angle of yours must make you feel better.

by midwestbred on Jan 15, 2009 8:07 PM EST up reply actions

Do you feel better now?

by Tyler on Jan 15, 2009 9:47 PM EST up reply actions

for sure…

by midwestbred on Jan 16, 2009 7:05 AM EST up reply actions

idk between manswers and the ufc shows they play everynight i find nothing better on tv :(

by randy murders on Jan 15, 2009 9:07 PM EST up reply actions

His still a good fighter and he was giving it to Rampage before that happened. I remember Shogun absolutely fcking him up in the Pride GP. His definitely taken some punishment but he would be a good addition to the UFC.

by Nick on Jan 15, 2009 8:09 PM EST up reply actions

Jeez, quit being a bunch of pu$$ies on here. I was just saying I remember him getting knocked out by Rampages head. I watch alot of MMA, I just remember that so shut the hell up and go get laid or something.

by BrutalKnockout. on Jan 15, 2009 10:32 PM EST up reply actions

The night I became a Rampage fan.

by Ground-Game on Jan 16, 2009 2:49 AM EST up reply actions

after reading aronas comment i wonder if him and paulo just sit around and do horse tranquilizers together all day and that is why arona has done nothing in like 2 years.

also explains why he would think it is acceptable to join the main tournament without enough time to train for tryouts.

by DirtyML on Jan 15, 2009 8:47 PM EST reply actions

Arona always looks to be in good shape though. He and Filho probably smoke a lot too.

He better watch out though with no training camp.

by Space on Jan 16, 2009 3:11 AM EST up reply actions

Arona was an animal…ADCC should be a good starting point for a comeback.

I’d actually dig it if he ended up at Affliction…

Arona vs…

Soko
Tito
Babalu

All great fights…..especially Tito

by introvert on Jan 15, 2009 8:48 PM EST reply actions

Check out the ADCC Match between Tito and Arona. Good shit.

by Tyler on Jan 17, 2009 11:47 AM EST up reply actions

this guy beat Fedor in an MMA fight but was robbed. He dominated it was called a draw and went to an extra round which he also won. Fans started booing when they gave it to Fedor. It is the only time I have seen Fedor get worked.

by hatteras on Jan 15, 2009 11:16 PM EST reply actions

I am going to have to see this fight…sounds interesting. Arona is a good ass fighter..

by What? on Jan 16, 2009 8:40 AM EST up reply actions

I would have given it to Arona as well…but, it was close. Could have went either way really.

by introvert on Jan 16, 2009 9:11 AM EST up reply actions

Side note…..

Why is Arona riding a bull in that picture?

by introvert on Jan 16, 2009 9:12 AM EST reply actions

lo unico que recuerdo de rampage es cuando wandy lo dejo entre las cuerdas y le rajo la madre cuando estaba en su nivel … o cuando shogun le dio una paliza … Arona es un gran luchador que no sea vistoso es otra cosa … es muy esquematico y todo pero igual es de gran nivel al = que el gran paulo filho … saludos desde peru

Minotauro Forever
El emperador Fedor

by UNMSM2002 on Mar 2, 2009 8:16 PM EST reply actions