The Doggy Bag: Sprechen Sie UFC 122?

So happy to see the UFC -- or any big show -- pick up Alexandre “Cacareco” Ferreira. I wasn't aware of him until I saw him choke out Lew Polley at an IFL here in Vegas, and I've been a fan ever since. He's not getting an easy debut fight facing Vladimir Matyushenko, though. Will "The Janitor" get his usual takedowns and top control and spoil Ferreira's debut or does he really have something to offer in the UFC?
-- Mitchell from Las Vegas.

Marcelo Alonso, Brazilian correspondent: I think so. The UFC's signing of “Cacareco” was celebrated by Brazilian fans, who see him as a true ground specialist like Rousimar Palhares. He is someone that can show American fans that a fight on the ground also can be very exciting.

He has good takedowns and amazing submission skills -- mainly guillotines and leglocks -- due to his luta livre background. Like many kids in Brazil, “Cacareco” grew up in the slums, but he was saved by Hugo Duarte, the most important leader of luta livre in Brazil, who allowed him to train for free. His real breakout was at ADCC in 2003, where he submitted five opponents, winning two silver medals as the runner-up to Jon Olav Einemo in the 218-pound category and the runner-up to Dean Lister in the absolute. At ADCC 2005, he also gave Roger Gracie one of his all-time toughest matches.

Cacareco has been hailed by former Brazilian Top Team leader Luis Roberto "Bebeo" Duarte as a top contender for the UFC.

“When I said Cacareco was a bad fight for Lyoto [Machida] (when Lyoto was the champion), many people thought I was exaggerating, but I said that because I already saw him training with some of the toughest guys we had in BTT and I can tell that a well-trained Cacareco is a bad fight for anyone. The big challenge is to know how in shape He will be for this fight,” said Duarte.

Just before he signed with the UFC, Ferreira gave an interview in early October to Sensei SporTV, the most popular MMA program in Brazil, saying that he was close to abandoning the fight world. He was very upset by his lack of opportunities despite having an impressive resume. He said he was looking for another job, so he could help support his two children with dignity.

“I always dreamed to fight in UFC or get a gold medal representing Brazil, but I got nothing, so I have no alternative,” he said, almost crying.

Though he has been associated with Chute Boxe, he has only spent two periods of time in Curitiba, because his family lives in Rio. However, when it was announced he signed with the UFC, he went to Parana where he is training everyday at Chute Boxe. According to his teammates, he is training extremely well and will definitely be ready for Matyushenko on fight night.