Team Lloyd Irvin USA

Today I have a special surprise for all of you Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Fans!!!

Before I share the special surprise for all of you, I would like to Thank You for keeping up with my blog. It’s a great way to let the world know what we are doing here at Team Lloyd Irvin in Camp Springs Maryland.

This morning we did a warm up that consisted of take downs and light grip fighting. Shortly after we got to live rounds. Master Lloyd is preparing us mentally and physically for Pan Ams, NY Open, Brazilian Nationals, and most importantly Mundials.  I can’t stress that fact more than enough on how important training can be for the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Tournament. You have on shot to make your dream come true, any little mistake that can cost you that gold medal, and your done! You have to wait another year for Mundials to come around again!

SO train hard, and train smart!!

And now for my surprise, I asked Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Andre Galvao to do and Interview with me, so here it is….

Did Jiu Jitsu come naturally, or did it take you a while to understand it?
I think both.  I got a naturally progress but I had a little while to understand too.  But after training for 6 months I got my blue belt, and after 5 Years I got my Black Belt.

During your journey to becoming a BJJ Black Belt, what was the most important thing you learned?
I learned so many things, but the almost important is you need to be very passion and you need to believe in all positions for you get a very nice game and different kinds of positions.  The jiu jitsu is a soft martial art and you need to be relax and strong in the same time when you fight. And I learned you need to be happy and enjoy what you like to do to fight nice and great. You need to learn about every thing and always you need to keeping learning.  We never know everything.

Where are you currently training, and who are some of your best training partners?
I’m training at Black House when I m in USA.  But in Brazil I train at team Nogueira and X-gym. My partners is guys like: Anderson Silva, Rafael Feijao, Ronaldo Jacare, Minotauro, Minotouro, etc.

When did you decide that you were going to start MMA and why?
I decide it when I was training with Wanderlei Silva’s BJJ for his fight against Chuck Lidell in 2007.  I trained sometimes with him and some guys there.  After that I started to think about it.

Last night you fought Luke Stewart, what did you do to prepare physically and mentally for that fight?
I was preparing for this fight in Brazil at Rio de Janeiro with all my partners and trainers. Rogerio Camoes, he is my Physical Trainer and he help me a lot with my physical and diet. I believe in God,  I’m a Christian and I prepare mentally and spiritually with Jesus, who helps me a lot.  I like to read the bible and understand the way what GOD HAVE FOR ME.  He is who keeps me healthy and stronger forever.

Knowing that Luke Stewart was the favored MMA fighter, did that have any affect on you?
No because I knew that, so I prepare myself for that.  I was prepare to fight against him and I studied a lot his fights.  That was not a surprise for me.

What will be the next Competition/MMA Fight for you?
I don’t know yet.  But I hope to fight pretty soon!

Aside from your training, what do you do on your free time?
I like to go to the beach with my wife and my daughter.  I like to enjoy everything with them, Theater, movies, surf, soccer, trips.

What is your ultimate goal for Mixed Martial Arts Career?
I wanna to be the best in my weight class.  I know is not easy but I will fight for it, and I wish to be a good example for this sport.

Thank You for your time and is there anything you would like to say to your Mixed Martial Arts Fans?
Thank you so much! I’m very happy today, and in my next fight I will try to finish the fight before the third round.  I’m still learning and I hope to be better on my next fight.  Jesus loves you. Thanks for supporting me.