Pics are from their trip to The Instituto Reacao:
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Even though international fight cards usually feature nationalistic cheering and chants for hometown heroes, when it comes to the fighters competing on foreign turf, it’s usually an opportunity to experience a different culture through interactions with the locals and sightseeing around town. Some will even show up in the colors of the country or a sports team to show that they’re just happy to be there and able to entertain on fight night.
Chris Camozzi took his trip to Brazil for his UFC 153 bout against Luiz Cane a step further. Actually several steps further, as he and his manager Jason Genet came up with a plan not just to embrace the Brazilian people and their culture, but to give back to it.
“MMA started in Brazil as far as I’m concerned, and this is kind of a dream come true for me to fight down there,” said Camozzi. “It’s one of the Meccas of MMA, so going down there, I always like to lend a helping hand, so we joined up with Instituto Recao, and it sounds like it’s going to work out great. They help get kids involved in judo, and judo’s a good feeder for MMA, especially if you ask Ronda Rousey.”
Founded by judo Olympian Flavio Canto in 2003, Rio de Janeiro’s Instituto Recao was created to get kids off the street and into the gym. According to its website, the goal is “promoting human development and social inclusion by means of the practice of judo and complimentary activities – cultural trips, physio-therapeutic care, English lessons, learning support, among others.”
For Camozzi, who is donating a portion of his fight purse as well as the proceeds from an auction of his fight-worn gloves and shorts, there is no better way to show his thanks to a nation that gave him the sport that changed his life.
“I’ve been poor plenty of times, and I’m sure the last time wasn’t the last, so it can happen again,” he said. “But I’ve had family and other people that were there to help me out in the past, and it’s kind of a give back or pay it forward thing. And I’ve always been a big supporter of kids. I love kids and helping them out. When I was young, I played every sport there was, and my parents were real supportive of it, and when I was in high school I used to coach little league sports and it’s always cool when you can see young kids getting into the sport. Whenever I come to the gym and I see the kids’ class going, it’s real cool to watch. When I’m older and on my way out, this sport’s gonna be huge and these guys are gonna be making millions and millions of dollars, and I’m glad that I can help them in the beginning.”
That’s a lot of maturity for a young man of only 25, but Camozzi has fit a lot of living into that quarter century. And with a wedding coming up next year, he’s not slowing down at all.
“I think I matured mentally a lot quicker,” he said when asked how he keeps it all together at his age. “Don’t get me wrong, I’ve done a lot of stupid stuff in the past (Laughs), but it forced me to grow up. And I’m engaged now, I plan on getting married next year, and we have a daughter, so I have a family now and it’s time to work. If this is gonna be my job, I can’t slack.”
Thanks for posting! One day I will learn how to do it. It was a lot of fun today meeting the kids. Jose Aldo, Machida, Barao, Weidman and a few others made the trip down to the instituto
Very Cool!
Good luck Chris!
Good stuff guys.
camozzi -Thanks for posting! One day I will learn how to do it. It was a lot of fun today meeting the kids. Jose Aldo, Machida, Barao, Weidman and a few others made the trip down to the instituto
Thanks for sharing... kick ass this weekend Chris.
camozzi -Thanks for posting! One day I will learn how to do it. It was a lot of fun today meeting the kids. Jose Aldo, Machida, Barao, Weidman and a few others made the trip down to the instituto
yeah man, thanks for shooting the pics my way, great to see what you guys are doing!
PUMPED for your fight!
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Good pics , great cause ...
Damn, Camozzi, I didn't realize how tall you were!
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Weidman is in Rio and will Super Fly Snuka smash Anderson while Rogan is interviewing him!
mOzzi
REDRUM_NYC -Weidman is in Rio and will Super Fly Snuka smash Anderson while Rogan is interviewing him!
I would bet all the curry in India that Weidman does a run-in should Anderson win..
You are the man Camozzi!!!!
My GF went to school with you in Colorado.
Will you be throwing the UG up during your walk out? Rocking the superCalo shir for #franksfight? :)