By Daniel Faggella

Dan Faggella writes at 'Science of Skill' - a site dedicated to scientific combat sport training.


Sometimes the little guys of the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu world don't get as much recognition. Most purple belts probably wouldn't recognize the name "Bruno Malficine." Caio Terra is starting to break the mold of obscurity and get recognized for skills.

Why?

Not only is Ciao a World Champion and No-Gi World Champion, Caio was competed in the open weight classes - with MASSIVE success - despite normally competing around 130 pounds.


He won the Las Vegas International Open in 2010, and 1st at the American National Championship in the black belt own weight categories.


These accomplishments are just the tip of the ice berg. That being said, as a humble guy with a crazy credentials and a real active focus on how to excel in this sport, I figured he'd be a great guy to interview (okay maybe that and the fact that I'm also a 130-pound BJJ guy).

DF- Do you believe that Gi training is 100% necessary to become the best No Gi fighter you can be? Why or why not?


CT- It's not a 100% necessary, Jake shields is an example of good grappler that doesn't train with the Gi. Perhaps, I believe that if you train with the Gi regularly or at least started training with the gi the chances of you succeed without it is way higher than someone that just trained without it.


With the gi all your movements have to be close to perfect so you can apply it, without the Gi sometimes you can get out of moves with the slipperiness of it, with the faster speed that you can imply since its harder to hold someone and that would make you miss a lot of details. A lot of moves you can only teach on the gi, but if you are creative you can adept them to Nogi as well, but would be hard to teach them straight nogi because you have to know the concepts of the move first.


DF- Do you consider your training to be "calculated" or more "natural"? In other words, do you take notes, focus on specific areas, break up your training rigorously, etc... If you consider yourself "calculated," how do you apply this mentality?


CT- I was way more "calculated" before. Nowadays I only follow my training program, but no specific training. Almost all my trainings are 10 minutes roll.


DF- What is one specific strategy you use to make the most of your training?


CT- I always think of a move before start training and try to hit that move on my training partners. That motivates me to train hard - so I can get the move - and improves my game since I'm always planing on doing something new.


DF- How do you get the most out of rolling with white / blue belts? How do you make the most out of training with VERY good partners?

CT- I always go in everyone's speed, unless I'm mad LOL. If they think fast I will be thinking just a little faster. If they think slow I won't rush it but I will start thinking a lot more ahead, on what I can do and on what he can do, and sometimes help him putting myself where he should be putting so I can work from a worse spot.



DF- What are your biggest aspirations in jiu jitsu and what drives you to achieve and push forward in jiu jitsu?

CT- Every time I train I feel good that I did it. My only goal in the moment is to keep getting better.


DF- How do you make sure that you keep a steady focus on all the important areas of your BJJ game?


CT- I want to get better, and I don't focus in anything. I want to be the best I can in every position, I study and practice the moves. I feel that I'm good everywhere because I'm comfortable in any position I fall into, but in BJJ there is always many things that will make you better. Once you are at the level that you feel comfortable everywhere your learning grows way faster since you can always try new stuff without being scared of what might happen.


DF- LASTLY, how do you make sure your game grows in the direction that is best for you as a competitor?


CT- I don't train to compete. My focus is to get better and I believe that competing makes you much better. I have competed many many times sick or/and hurt, being enable to train. I went to get my BJJ better, losing or winning what really counts to me is if I fought good, if I learned and if I enjoyed. But don't get me wrong, I go there and do my best to win, I'm just not scared of losing.


Dan Faggella writes at 'Science of Skill' - a site dedicated to scientific combat sport training.

For more interviews with World Champions and top combat athletes, tips for maximizing training, and more, check out www.scienceofskill.com.

Caio Terra

Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie Sr. > Reylson Gracie > Paulo Mauricio Strauch > Caio Terra
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Caio Terra’s Main Titles in Jiu Jitsu (BJJ):

• World Black Belt Champion (2008);
• 3x World No Gi Champion (2009, 2008, 2010)
• 3x Mundials Silver Medallist (World Championships – 2010, 2009, 2005 blue belt)
• Pan American Silver Medal (2010)
• No Gi World Championship Silver Medal (2008)

Weight Division: Galo (Rooster Weight) 57kg
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Association/Team: Cesar Gracie/Gracie Elite Team