IMMAF MAGAZINE - Interview with Paulo Avery

[Stern]

INTERVIEW WITH

PAULO
"THE HAMMER"
AVERY

IMMAF MAGAZINE: Paulo Avery has had a rough start in the world of Mixed Martial Arts. In his first two fights he lost in the first round, one within thirty seconds and the other ended with a broken ankle. Yet, during the healing process for his ankle, Avery somehow changed his prespective and trained all he could. When he returned, he surprised everyone with a quick stoppage of Ali Meyers and has since gone on to boast a four-fight win streak. Now living up to his nickname, "The Hammer", and waiting for a big fight with also 4-2 fighter Cameron Tsirko, Avery stopped at the IMMAF Magazine offices to dicuss his career. Paulo, tell us how you got into this sport.

PAULO AVERY: Well, it all started with my father, John Avery. He was a very well-known American kick boxer in Brazil and eventually became a trainer after I was born. He really didn't want me to become a fighter, but helped me get to this point anyways.

IMMAF MAGAZINE: So has your father been to any of your fights?

PAULO AVERY: No, unfortunately, but hopefully once he comes to the states again he'll be able to.

IMMAF MAGAZINE: So your nickname is "The Hammer", where did that come from?

PAULO AVERY: My father, actually. When I was a young boy he told me I had a hammer fist when I would box. My boxing never developed, but I liked the name.

IMMAF MAGAZINE: So tell us about your injury a while ago. What fight was that?

PAULO AVERY: That was my second fight against Harding (Logan). He had a nice ankle lock, but I never had a chance to save my ankle and it snapped.

IMMAF MAGAZINE: Well, you answered our next question. So how long did the doctor's say you were gonna be out?

PAULO AVERY: They said somewhere between three to four months if I wanted it to be fully healed and if I didn't want any aching in the future. I decided to stay out extra long to let it heal and it paid off.

IMMAF MAGAZINE: So nothing aches now?

PAULO AVERY: Nope, it's all healed.

IMMAF MAGAZINE: By "it all worked out", I'm sure your referring to your four-fight win streak you have going. What was the turnaround?

PAULO AVERY: I don't think there was a real change, only the fact that I was out for a while after I was injured. If I wasn't injured maybe I could have a five or six-fight win streak. But you can't change the past.

IMMAF MAGAZINE: This fight with Cameron Tsirko could catapult you into the league with the contender's. Not really into the title picture, but put you on your way to that point. What is your strategy?

PAULO AVERY: My father once told me that a fox never reveals where he hids his kill. Meaning a fighter never reveals his strategy.

IMMAF MAGAZINE: Nothing for IMMAF Magazine?

PAULO AVERY: Sorry (laughs).

IMMAF MAGAZINE: If Cameron were here right now what would you tell him?

PAULO AVERY: To be ready. I don't fight to have lazy fighters thrown my way. I fight to face the best out there. I want to top level Cameron Tsirko when I fight him. So he'd better train and then we will have a fight for the ages.

IMMAF MAGAZINE: Good luck, and we hope to have you back again.

PAULO AVERY: Thank you.