Interviews News - Page 29

Although Fedor is the top-ranking heavyweight in the world, there's no doubt that Tim Sylvia is a force to be reckoned with. With a full 8 inches and 30 pounds over Fedor, Sylvia is a monster with an impressive record, surprisingly quick hands and a long reach that many opponents find hard to escape. His size and striking power, coupled with a rock-em sock-em attitude and stamina are a dangerous combination every time he steps in front of an opponent. Trying to regain the championship title in a fight in 2004, Sylvia wouldn't tap out when Frank Mir locked him in an armbar, even after his arm was snapped. The ref had to put an end the fight, because Sylvia, broken arm and all wouldn't give up. Fedor, who has already proved himself in the ring, is looking to earn a different kind of reputation with the American people. "As far as American fans, I'd like them to get to know me personally…not just as a fighter - as a human being as well.' And Sylvia, who has suffered from some criticism and controversy, has a personal, as well as professional, agenda as well - he's just looking for a little respect. A win against the current world heavyweight champion just might quiet the chatter and earn him the respect he yearns for. In Sylvia's own words, "It's time to see if Fedor still has what it takes to be #1."

Add your comment  

MMAWeekly: How do you see Wanderlei’s last fight against Keith Jardine? Rafael Alejarra: We know we were coming from negative results (against Chuck Liddell), but we are always in evolution, not only technically, but also the cardio-resistance. But some of our results don’t depend only on those factors. In Wanderlei’s last fight he was more adapted with the new changes, with the rules, training sessions, the environment and sparring. MMAWeekly: We could see that Wanderlei was 100% for his last fight. We also know that differently from his first fight now he had good sparring training, different coaches. How about your area, did you do anything different? Rafael Alejarra: Wanderlei truly came ready for this fight, and thanks to his training and great sparring. About my area, I’ve been using the HIPOXIA training style. It’s a very good training that is already used in Cuba with boxers and now I am adapting it to MMA. And I can tell that due to the time of training and adaptation, our results were better than in Wanderlei’s first fight. MMAWeekly: Many fans were thinking that Wanderlei’s problem was his emotional side and due to that he wasn’t doing good in his fights. In his last fight, he shaved his head and fought exactly as the earlier times. What happened? What changed? Rafael Alejarra: I wouldn't say emotional problems, but as I said before, we were facing adaptation problems here. We had some new things to worry about and we were very busy in our last months, but the truth is, we never let the training level go down. We know, and Wanderlei knows, his responsibility with his fans.

Add your comment  

James Iannotti (MMAmania.com): What’s up, Josh? Heard there was some drama at the weigh-ins today. Did you have any problems hitting 155? Josh Thomson: You know, the weight came right off. We had problems at the weigh-in with the scale. I don’t know what the hell their deal was. I checked my weight on the same scale probably like twenty minutes before they actually moved it up onto the desk, and I was right on with my underwear on. Then when I got up onto the scale and weighed in, I was a pound over, so I had to drop my drawers and step on. It just didn’t seem good, but then I broke right there, so it was good. I mean, as long as I make the weight the first time, we weren’t going have to leave anywhere to go cut weight. James Iannotti (MMAmania.com): You and Gilbert are pretty good friends. What’s it going to be like fighting somebody you actually like? Josh Thomson: I think we’re kind of over it now, you know? Weigh-ins have been done. We talked about the friendship and stuff throughout the training camp, so I think now we’re ready to just get it on. We know what reality is now. I think after seeing each other at weigh-ins and stuff, and it’s here now, so it’s like, just rest and go and just get it done and get it over with, and then just move on with the next chapter of our life, you know?

Add your comment  

Chris Fries and The JDH of Tagg Radio’s The Lights Out Show interviewed former UFC referee ‘Big’ John McCarthy on their last show. Here’s some snips from the interview:

Add your comment  

---

GRACIEMAG.com: A lot of people think he doesn't know any ground fighting. What's your assessment of his Jiu-Jitsu level and how far do you intend to go with him? Comprido: The guy's a world class wrestler, US champion. It's impossible that he doesn't know anything about fighting on the ground. He has a really good base, and he positions himself well. The guy is always open to learning new things, or in other words, he's the student every teacher wishes they had. Of course there are things to improve and I hope to help him with the Jiu-Jitsu part. Sooner or later he'll have to face Rodrigo Minotauro, who's the best MMA fighter I've ever seen fight. But he's focused on his next fight and is not thinking about that yet. I'm aware of the fact that he's way above average and that I can help him conquer the UFC belt or that of any other event he wishes to compete in. GRACIEMAG.com: A lot is said, as well, about his absurd strength and optimal physical conditioning. Is he really that strong, well prepared and so good a wrestler? Comprido: His strength really is extraordinary, he's by far the strongest guy I've ever coached. But he's so aware of that that during training he uses very little strength (which is more than enough). [laughs] Not just anybody becomes wrestling champion of the United States. I think few in MMA wouldn't get taken down by him in seconds.

---

Add your comment  

All Top 10 ranked welterweight Jake Shields has wanted over the past couple of years was to find a stable home in an organization that allowed him to face off against other top 170-pound fighters and one day fight for a title.

Add your comment  

Since the announcement of the Affliction promotion a few months ago, everyone from fans to fighters to other promoters have been watching the new organization with great interest as to their business plan for the mixed martial arts industry.

Add your comment  

Middleweight standout Ivan Salaverry (Pictures) has hung up his gloves for good and will no longer compete as a professional fighter. The decision came almost a month following his last bout -- a first-round submission loss to Rousimar Palhares (Pictures) at UFC 84 "Ill Will" in Las Vegas. Salaverry retires with a 12-7 career record. "Basically, I am just not prioritizing fighting anymore," Salaverry told Sherdog.com. "Even though I love fighting and I had a great run and I enjoyed it, I've transitioned to other things. There are quite a few variables as to why I stepped away and not just one. I'm older now; I'm 37 and not 27. I also have some injuries that are just not recovering, too. And within that scope, I have my school and my two kids. Fighting is not just a priority anymore." Salaverry's decision to step out of the spotlight shouldn't come as a surprise. His fight with Palhares was the last under his contract with Zuffa, parent company to the UFC, and the Seattle resident hinted beforehand that his performance against Palhares would greatly influence his next move. Salaverry lost in surprising fashion to the highly touted Brazilian prospect via a deftly executed armbar, though the Chilean-born Canadian cites additional considerations that came into play with his decision to call it a day.

Add your comment  

UFC Middleweight Chris “The Crippler” Leben, who recently finished up an 11 day stint in a Portland, Oregon jail for parole violation, divulged to MMAWeekly.com how his incarcerated experience has helped him to see things more clearly, and evolve into a more mature individual. Personally, I found his anecdote about an inmate choking to be the highlight:

Add your comment  

Avenging a loss is always at the top of a fighter's list of priorities, though some have to wait years for the opportunity. Matt Arroyo will have to wait just 19 months, though, when he attempts to avenge the only loss of his career on Saturday. He faces off with "The Ultimate Fighter 7" quarterfinalist Matt Brown. The two met in November 2006 at a Real Fighting Championships event, and Arroyo suffered a second-round TKO.

Add your comment  

Kendall Grove is dead! My next tattoo that I get on Sunday, I'm going to put 'In loving memoryof Kendall Grove' right down my right hand. That dude was killing me. He was pulling me down; he was too weak. He was helping everybody else and you have to help yourself before you could help anyone else. F*#k that guy. I'm back to being ruthless," stated UFC middleweight contender Kendall Grove as he talked about his upcoming clash with Evan Tanner. In this raw and uncut exclusive, Grove breaks down his prior performances and blah, blah, blah…

Add your comment  

MMAyou.com got to catch-up with the legendary “Mr. Low Kick” Rob Kaman. Check out what this 9 X kickboxing and Muay Thai champion has to say about Anderson Silva’s Muay Thai skills, who he might be training soon, why he considers Dana White to be full of it, and much more! MMAyou.com: First, how are you doing? Kaman: Very good.

Add your comment  

Here’s a new video from our friends at MMA Rated featuring Roger Huerta talking about his status as a top lightweight contender in the UFC, his plans to eventually move up to 170 lbs. and also about Georges St. Pierre moving to 185 lbs. sooner than later. All very interesting. very interesting stuff, especially surprised of how confident he seemed when he said GSP was going to move to 185.

Add your comment  

A measure to legalize Mixed Martial Arts, AKA Ultimate Fighting, or Cage Fighting, is apparently down for the count in the Assembly Tourism committee after it looked like it didn’t have enough votes to move forward this afternoon. Among those taking credit for the knockout was Assemblyman Bob Reilly, D-Colonie who argued that the state shouldn’t sanction a sport characterized larely by its brutality. “We ban cockfighting and dog fighting — should we allow humans to enter a cage to knee, kick, and punch each other?” asked Reilly. Last week Reilly had expressed concern that the measure might pass, given the big money and lobbying pressure involved here. But ultimately, the argument against it prevailed. Ultimate Fighting Championship, the organization that promotes such activities, has been lobbying to get in New York since 2001. It’s currently illegal in over 20 states, including New York, said Reilly.

Add your comment  

After making his return to action in March with a loss to Yushin Okami after a near two year hiatus from the sport, former UFC Middleweight Champion Evan Tanner will look to get back on the winning track this Saturday, June 21st, when he goes up against TUF 3 winner Kendall Grove. In this MMANews.com exclusive interview, Tanner talks with Chris Howie about a number of topics.

Add your comment  

Legendary boxing guru Freddie Roach — who has trained a long list of superstars including Oscar De La Hoya, Mike Tyson, Bernard Hopkins, and James Toney, Manny Pacquiao — will enter the world of mixed martial arts on July 19th, when he’ll be working the corner of Andrei Arlovski at Affliction: Banned. According to Fighthype, Arlovski has been developing his hands at Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, in preparation for his bout against Miletich-trained bruiser Ben Rothwell.

Add your comment  

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira recently took time out from the taping of Spike's newest edition of their reality TV hit "The Ultimate Fighter", to sit down with Gracie Mag to speak about a variety of topics including his budding rivalry with fellow coach Frank Mir. “The mood of rivalry between us is getting strong," Nogueria told GracieMag.com. "We see each other here all the time, and I've known his game for awhile. Ever since he submitted Roberto Traven at the UFC, in 2001, he's been known. But you'll see: I'm going to be all over him standing, I’m better than him both standing and on the ground. In the fight with Sylvia the way to the win was clearly on the ground, but against Mir I'm going to show more of what I'm capable of to the world and my fans. I'll always respect him as an adversary, of course. Even more so since he’s trained with Demian Maia and Robert Drysdale.”

Add your comment  

The past several weeks have brought controversial outcomes to several major bouts. At the center of the controversy at both EliteXC: Primetime and also at UFC 85 a week later was New Jersey-based referee Dan Miragliotta. Herb Dean also found himself in the spotlight after deducting two points from Nathan Marquardt during UFC 85 bout vs. Thales Leites. Leites was declared the winner, but Marquardt would have won on the scorecards had it not been for the deductions.

Add your comment  

---

I didn’t even watch that fight on tape yet. I was there, but that fight didn’t impress me much. Shogun wasn’t the same. If I watch that fight and try to go off that fight, I’d be misled because Shogun wasn’t 100%. If Shogun was 100% and fights like he normally fights, that would be the fight to watch. Heck, Shogun’s girlfriend could have beat him that night. … Things happen. I think Shogun took the fight with Forrest because he needed it. I don’t think he should have taken the fight on such short notice. I’m a fighter. I can tell how the fighter fought in the past and how they are fighting on that day. I could tell something was up with Shogun that he was hurt.

---

Add your comment  

"If Nick is 100% on, he is the best in the world. If you put Nick somewhere and you say, 'the winner is the fighter that comes out of this cage,' guess who is coming out? Nick Diaz is coming out of that cage. I don't care if it's Georges St-Pierre or whatever. I know he can lose a fight and I know in X amount of rounds this guy can outpoint him, but I know that Nick is a true fighter. He's a warrior wherever he goes," stated Cesar Gracie as he spoke about Nick Diaz and his upcoming clash with Mushin Corbbrey this Saturday. You don't want to miss what else he had to say as he talked more about the Diaz brothers and shared his thoughts on BJ Penn, Georges St-Pierre, Anderson Silva, Jake Shields, Matt Hughes, Frank Shamrock, the EliteXC debut on CBS, a Diaz-Gomi rematch and much more.

Add your comment