By Jamie McAllister
Cristiano Marcello comments to MMAWeekly.com

Marcello who featured on this season on TUF Live comments on his early exit from the competition after being defeated by Team Cruz number one pick Justin Lawrence.

“The huge problem about that fight was because it was too early. With my techniques and experience in Brazil before, it was just too early. With the environment, learning technique, a new camp, it was just the worst thing for me. If the fight is two weeks later, all my body is comfortable,”

Marcello also comments that if the Lawrence fight had gone to the ground he would have finished him.

“If the fight had gone to the ground, it would have gone a minute or two minutes, no more than that.”

Marcello after being eliminated from the competition continued to learn and develop his skills under coaches Urijah Faber as well as developing his wresting game under four time All American Lance Palmer.

“The time I stop learning is the time I have to quit. If you want to keep fighting, you have to keep training at a high level with new guys and the top guys, and you have to keep learning,”

Marcello now has a second crack at getting into the UFC and is exited by the opportunity.

“I fought the best guys in the world in Pride and the best guys all around the world, so for me to fight in the UFC it was the goal of my life,” Marcello stated. “I’ve been excited and the moment they said to me I would be fighting in the finale, I was excited to fight, to represent my country, to represent my gym. I’m very, very happy.”

Marcello faces heavy handed Team Cruz fighter Sam Sicilia and when asked about his game-plan for the fight he responded.

“100-percent Jiu-Jitsu,” said Marcello. “It’s the thing I love to do. It’s the thing that’s in my veins, 100-percent Jiu-Jitsu. Like people say in Brazil, Jiu-Jitsu saves.”

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