Alan Patrick happy with move to the USA

Alan Patrick’s cage name is Nuguette.” It means Shoe Polish, a reference to his years as a homeless child, shining shoes to survive.

Patrick started fighting over a decade ago, and went 10-0. He entered the UFC five years ago, and has gone 5-1. Ahead of his fight Saturday night vs. Scott Holtzman, Patrick spoke with Guilherme Cruz for MMA Fighting about his relocation four months ago to Orlando, Florida with his wife and four-year-old son. He prepared for opponent Scott ‘Hot Sauce’ Holtzman at Fusion X-Cell, along with the likes of Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza 

Life’s great here, we have better access to things like wrestling shoes, gloves, and supplements than we do in Brazil, enthused Patrick. Our work is 10 times more valued here. I enjoy the lifestyle here, it’s not too rushed like in Brazil. I love it. After four months here, I’ve adapted.

It was more difficult for my wife and little son, but they are used to it already. When he is too anxious we take him to Universal, the world’s greatest park [laughs]. I live 15 minutes away from the park and to see the look on his face, that’s priceless. And I also get to see a lot of Brazilians there [laughs].

It would be really hard for me to get a fight in this card if I were in Brazil, but it was easier being here. And Wallid (Ismail, manager) did a great job landing me on this card. If it wasn’t for him also, I wouldn’t be on this card. It’s the fight of the century, the biggest fight in UFC history, and I’m happy to be part of this card. I’ll give my life in there to go 6-1 in the UFC.

What I came here for: to speak their language, be closer to the UFC and give my son a better life, more comfort. Being here, it’s cheaper for the UFC to give me fights. Flight tickets in Brazil are so expensive, it’s unbelievable.

The plan – go in there and shock everyone. This guy is expecting the same old ‘Nuguette’, but it’s going to be a whole new one. He comes in strong in the first round, trying to pressure his opponent against the cage and get the takedown, but I worked hard to block his takedowns. If he doesn’t go down in the first round, he goes down in the second.

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