AJ Sousa Wants To Turn Foes Into Fans At Copa Podio Lightweight Grand Prix

Lightweight competitor AJ Sousa has got high hopes for his performance at Copa Podio. He doesn’t just want to take out his opponents – he wants to convert them into fans.

“I started preparing a long time ago, right when I got the invite, I kind of started preparing. I didn’t know a lot about who was going to be in it at that time but I knew the format was going to be six minutes, kill or be killed round-robin. So I started training a lot of explosive six-minute rounds with my teammates.

“Then for about a week and a half I went up to Costa Mesa to train with my instructors Gui and Rafa Mendes. That was amazing, it was eye-opening, and a game changer. I really feel they opened up my eyes to a lot of things that I looked past earlier in my career, and I feel a lot better going into this tournament knowing the things they’ve given me.

“I have to be honest, Leandro Lo and Lucas Lepri were two of my favorites guys growing up in the ranks, and I watched all of their videos and kept up with them. I’d say earlier in the career you get a bit star-struck facing those guys, but it’s my second year at black belt now, I’ve trained with the best in the world, I’ve fought the best in the world. I’ve fought Michael Langhi, I’ve fought all those guys, and I feel much better going into it now. I feel like I’m light years beyond when I fought them last.

“It’s just styles – it’s not rocket science what Davi Ramos is going to do, he’s going to come in and bring explosions and crazy attacks. Submission-wise, he’s probably the most dangerous guy in the division.

“Then you have Lo, whose pace really gets people. He doesn’t stop scrambling, he probably has the best cardio – and the worst diet, which is kind of strange – but the guy is amazing and he’s going to bring it. He doesn’t have to worry about holding back with the six minute rounds.

“Then you’ve got Lucas Lepri, who’s more stagnant, he’s kind of a pressure guy, he lets his rolls build on you. A lot of the times he likes to do his passing late in the rounds.

“Felipe Silva has got a good guard, he’s got a good lapel game, good leg attacks.

“But I’ve analyzed everybody and I wouldn’t come here if I didn’t think I couldn’t beat every single one of them. There’s not a doubt in my mind that when the time comes and we get on the mat that there’s no underdog – it’s not me, and it’s not them.

“You have something that I want and I’m going to come take it. That’s what I’m here for. I didn’t train all this time, get prepared and come all the way to Brazil to watch my favorite competitors fight. I came here to take them out and make them a fan of mine.”

AJ Sousa fights in the Copa Podio Lightweight Grand Prix on Jan. 9, watch it here on FloGrappling.