With a client list including UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva, UFC Light Heavyweight Lyoto Machida, Nogueira brothers, Paulo Filho and Pedro Rizzo... it’s no secret that Ed Soares is one of the most successful MMA managers walking around today. We spoke exclusively to Ed Soares as he breaks down the role of one of the most elite MMA managers.

Mike: How did you get started in MMA Management?
Ed: Well, that’s a pretty long story Mike.. but I used to promote clubs in Hollywood. I promoted at the Roxy and some other clubs. I was also managing some hip-hop groups at the time. The entire time I was doing the promoting and everything, I was taking jiu-jitsu, and always kind of supported martial arts. I then started my clothing line, and through that I ended up sponsoring some fighters. I was sponsoring Chuck Liddell when he fought Quinton Jackson in PRIDE... and while I was out there for that fight, I ran into Jorge Guimaraes, whom I have known forever. He was my next door neighbor growing up here in the United States… but he was telling me about this TV show he was running in Brazil called "passando a guarda" or "passing the guard". He invited me to film the show while he conducted the interviews. At the time the show was only in Brazil...but I asked him who was doing the interviews in the USA? He said that they didn’t have the budget to really do that. I was at all the shows anyways, so I asked him if I could do all the interviews and stuff over here. I saw it as a great opportunity to bring a great
show to the United States. So the show aired for 11 seasons here, and through the clothing company, and our TV show Jorge and I made a lot of great relationships with organizations, and with the
fighters. So the next natural transition was into management.

Mike: What are some of the day to day responsibilities of being a manager?
Ed: Dude. Well every manager does their thing different... but with us at least, we are involved in the everyday life of the fighters. Its not just negotiating contracts, we try to market our fighters, and make them a brand. We help them find sponsors, we negotiate with training partners/facilities... pretty much, you organize and help them run their lives... and just try to make things a little easier for them.

Mike: What’s the best part of your job?
Ed: The best part is to, set a goal with someone and then help them accomplish that goal. You know, just helping them achieve and reach that dream of theirs... it’s an awesome feeling.

Mike: What about the worst part of your job?
Ed: You have to travel a lot, which is a cool thing. But the hardest part for me at least, is being away from my family as much as I am.

Mike: We all hear stories about the UFC, and how hard they are to deal with… seeing that you deal with them on the regular, are they as bad as made out to be?
Ed: You know what? The UFC are great business men. Sometimes when you are a great business man, you can’t make everyone happy... because they also have to look out for themselves. I don’t think they are unreasonable, while negotiating they try to do what’s best for them, and I am there to do the same thing. So we try to meet up in the middle somewhere and both go home happy. They are great guys over there, and really, I don’t know of too many other organizations who give more money then what is on the contract. There’s not too many places that will just go "here, you put on a great fight… here’s a bonus". That just doesn’t happen much elsewhere.

Mike: Who are some of the guys that you currently have on your roster?
Ed: We have Anderson Silva, Lyoto Machida, Paulo Filho, Pedro Rizzo, the Nogueira brothers… so those are some of the big names everyone hears of. But we also have guys like Andre Galvao, Rafeal Feijo, Deigo Nunoz... we have about 16 guys on our roster right now. But the cool thing is, I believe that every single guy we have, has the ability to be champion, if they are not already one.

Mike: Machida just recently won the title over Rashad Evans. What did you think of the fight?
Ed: It was a great fight man. Lyoto was very calculated and efficient with what he did, and I think that Joe Rogan said it best when he said "I think we are now entering era of Machida".

Mike: Their have been some rumors that Machida will face Shogun Rua at UFC 104... if this fight would happen, how do you feel they match up?
Ed: I think that this would be a great matchup for Machida. Rua has shown the world that he is a phenomenal fighter. I know him personally and I like him, he’s a great kid. He might not have looked great against Forrest or Coleman... but you cannot take away what he has done in the past. Shogun has beat Quinton Jackson, he just had a big KO victory over Chuck Liddell... the kid is tough. I think it will be a great fight, and I think that Machida matches up very well with Shogun, and that it will be a great name to add to his resume.

Mike: What about the Anderson Silva vs Forrest Griffin fight?
Ed: I think it will be one of those legendary fights. You have the best pound for pound fighter in the world, going up against Forrest Griffin. A former LHW champion, who is a pretty big guy, who is a well rounded, complete fighter. And he always comes to fight. I think those that are looking for an exciting fight, will find one here.

Mike: If you could play matchmaker for a day, what’s one fight that you would love to set up as a fan and watch take place?
Ed: Man, if I could play matchmaker and set up any fight that I want… there would be two fights that I would want to see. Anderson Silva vs Fedor and Lyoto Machida vs Fedor.

Mike: Last one for ya. If they made a movie about your life, who would you want to play the role of Ed Soares?
Ed: Gosh... this is a good one, but I am stumped man... (laughing) I'd just hope they get someone good looking!

Mike: Cool man, I just wanted to thank you for your time and wish you and your guys the best of luck.
Ed: Thanks Mike.