Of all the places I want to visit in the world, Rio de Janerio is a top destination for me. Most of us can only dream of heading there. Especially fighters who love to travel to train.

Rio has many pulls for fighter. There is one very recognizable name in particular that goes hand in hand with this popular destination; a name that is known for enticing fighters from around the world to travel to Brazil for training. This name is big …enough so that as a fighter, the idea that you could learn from and be around it daily is mind-blowing. Does the name Team Nogueira mean anything to you?

That name certainly means something to Canadian MMA fighter Matt Baker, who holds a record of 6 - 2. Baker is the first and only Canadian to become a member of Team Nogueira. To say that is an honor would be an understatement.

“Thaigo Jambo Goncalves, one of my best friends, is a Minotauro Nogueira Black belt. He invited me to come train in Rio de Janeiro at Team Nogueira. I impressed the coaches, and now I am a member of the team. I am the only Canadian in the world to be so lucky.”

All paths to glory - and in this case, paths to Team Nogueira - aren’t always smooth and straight. And it would take a few bumps and bruises along the way, including loosing his identity as member of Revolution Fight team (his previous team) to get him to where he is now.

“Just before I left for Brazil, I had a falling out with Revolution, which really sucked. I love everyone I met there and everything I experienced while fighting for them.”

All fighters will agree that fight teams are like family. To loose that support and love can negatively impact a person, especially as they are heading into a fight camp. But in Bakers case, it worked out for the better.

Now, he wakes up everyday in Rio and pushes himself through intense training along side some of the world’s most recognizable names in MMA, all in preparation for his August 20th fight for Battlefield Fight League.

“There is so much support at Team Nogueira, it’s honestly insane. Coach Diogo manages the gym for Rogerio and Rodrigo Nogueira. Right now Anderson Silva, Erick Silva, Minotauro, Antonio BIGFOOT Silva, Junior Dos Santos, Thiago Goncalves, Rony "Jason" Marino, Patricky "Pittbull" Freire are all here training for fights.

“Everaldo Penco teaches the Jiu-Jitsu and we have been lucky enough that the Great Ricardo Delariva has been coming in also and teaching technique. Alex Gazé is my muay thai coach.

“Everybody is always offering to help, and everyone goes out after training, to eat. It’s definitely a big family feeling.”

Being around all those incredible names would be enough to do the average fan in. Could you handle it? Baker agrees that it is a big boost to the self-esteem to have one of those fellas yelling out advice and instructions from his corner during sparing and training sessions.

“My confidence has definitely increased training for this fight. I have been sparring and rolling a couple times a day, over the last month, with the biggest names in the sport…. Honestly, I have never been this beat up in my life. Everyday I am training with guys in the UFC, Strikeforce, Bellator. There are always a lot of people training.”

All of this work is to ensure victory come August 20^th. Baker will be taking on Brazilian Capoeira expert Marcus Vinicios in Vernon BC, just hours from his hometown of Kamloops.

“I have even been working Capoeira in preparation for Marcus. I respect it greatly and won’t be confused or caught off guard by it.”

As Baker continues to work hard and make the most of his fight camp in Brazil, he is aware of how lucky he is and knows that he living a life that many can only dream. Baker is quick to recognize and acknowledge the people who have helped make this trip, this dream, a reality.

“I really would like to thank Charles and Steve from Windsor Ford for sending me to Brazil… Cyril with Tapout Canada… Dave and Scott with Tapout Energy… Marcus, Bert, Lucas at MAGNUM Neutraceuticals… Tim from the Whiskey house… Dr Vie Super foods… Dr Chan at Performax… and obviously Jambo for providing me with this opportunity.

Come August 20^th, Baker will have the chance to show his sponsors, family and friends how hard he has truly worked for this fight. He has taken giant strides in training - both physically and mentally – as he continues to work towards victory. Baker is in a good place, and he knows this.

“As a middleweight training where the UFC and the Strikeforce middleweight champions train, I think this is as good as it gets. This is where I need to be.”

Please follow and support your Matt on his journey! Be sure to connect with him on his Facebook Fanpage , as well as on twitter.