UFC on Fuel TV 1: Brazil’s Ronny Markes represents MMA’s roots

Brazil can boast that it’s a nation with MMA in its blood. Time and time again, it’s given the sport spectacular athletes who redefine what it means to excel at fighting.

Natal, Brazil’s Ronny Markes (Twitter: @MarkesOficial) hopes that he’s the latest in such a long line of MMA masters. Currently 12-1, the middleweight grappling guru will face Gunnison, Colo.’s 11-2 Aaron Simpson at UFC on Fuel TV 1 tonight in Omaha. In an exclusive e-mail interview with MMADiehards.com, Markes said he’s eager to make the most out of his UFC opportunity.

“It’s the place every fighter wants to be,” Markes said through a translator when asked about competing for the UFC. “Be it in Brazil, the U.S., anywhere, when you start a career you’re building yourself to be here in the future. I was able to do it and now I hope to improve every fight and evolve as a fighter so I can be here for the rest of my career.”

Markes said that competing professionally in the MMA world is a dream he’s long fought for. Starting his career with a knockout victory in 2007, he said he shelved his goals for two years afterwards following a serious injury. Returning to combat in 2009, he’s torn through the competition ever since. Though he’s only 23, Markes’ record contains only a single loss that occurred in 2010.

“I always knew that this is what I wanted for my life and I was able to achieve it,” he said. “I even think I got into the UFC a little early – not in a bad way – less than three years as an active fighter. I’m very happy for that.”

Markes made a dominant first impression in the UFC by scoring a unanimous decision over Karlos Vemola at UFC Live: Hardy vs. Lytle. He’ll next see Simpson in the Octagon, and Markes said he doesn’t consider the decorated wrestler a stepping stone. Though he predicts a tough battle, he said he’d do his best to score a win over his American opponent.

“He has spectacular wrestling and has shown evolution in his boxing game in last fights,” Markes said of Simpson. “I’m prepared to face him wherever the fight goes, but of course I’ll always use what I’m best at and impose my jiu-jitsu.”

Jiu-jitsu is just one of many martial arts popular in Brazil, Markes said, and as a Brazilian he lives and breathes combat sports. Citing Brazil’s storied MMA history and its upcoming edition of The Ultimate Fighter, he said his cultural identity is definitely an advantage inside the cage.

“We created this sport, and there’s nothing more deserving than having this accomplishment,” Markes said of his homeland. “I think it’s as Dana White said, in every corner there’s a Jose Aldo, Anderson Silva or Minotauro. The UFC is going to be very happy with what they’re going to find in Brazil. I believe in the future it can become the most popular sport in Brazil.”

At day’s end, Markes said he’ll make his mark in the UFC by showing his country’s fighting heritage. Even better, he said, is the chance to pursue his passion on the sport’s biggest stage.

“I love what I do and I’m here trying to get my space,” Markes said. “I want to grow in this organization and the rest I leave it in the hands of God. Whatever he wants for my future will be mine and I have no rush.”