John,
Thanks for writing in and thanks for the question.
Yes, Ricardo is fighting Patrick Cote this weekend as the co-main event on the July 5th UFC card that is also featuring Quinton Jackson and Forrest Griffin which will cap the TUF season. There are also a number of other great fights on the card too, so I hope this is an event a number of people check out.

As for Ricardo's training, we have been following the TFW system and he is looking great. We had a focus during this training cycle on strength development and right now he is as strong as he ever was. His conditioning is also fantastic and most importantly, his mind is right for the fight. He has been up with me 3 days a week, and the fact that he commutes almost 2 hours one way says a lot about his commitment.

I think this will be a fight that has a chance to launch Ricardo back into the elite in the 185 division. Since he has been out of the sport for a few years, people are not as familiar with him that are new to the sport, but this fight should spark interest in his background if he wins. Then they will learn more about him which can only help move him up the popularity ladder. Cote will be another great challenge and we are all looking forward to the event.

Ricardo leaves tomorrow and I will meet him there on Thurs. Friday is the weigh ins and then I will be in the corner Saturday for the fight.

Things have gone great so far, so now it is just time to carry out the rest of the gameplan.

Also, check out Spike TV this week. The UFC Countdown show should have a bunch of footage from our facility, and you will get to see what kind of guy Ricardo really is. I think it should run a bunch of times this week leading up to the event.

Thanks and I hope everyone out there watches and sees something spectacular.

,
Martin Rooney