IRISH WHIP EXCLUSIVE: CHUCK LIDDELL INTERVIEW

After interviews with Dan Henderson and Tito Ortiz, there was only one thing left to do: call Chuck Liddell. The definitive fist of the UFC for the last five years, Chuck is rebounding off of a loss to Rampage Jackson (after three straight years of winning) and talks to us about his training, fighting Wanderlei Silva, Dana White, and his stint on Entourage. An Interview By Ben Zeidler

Ben Zeidler: Did you feel that you weren't aggressive enough against Rampage? Would you fight the fight any differently if you could go back?
Chuck Liddell: No, I was planning on frustrating him a little and making him come after me a little more, and he just happened to catch me before I got the chance to completely carry out that game plan.

BZ: Rampage seems to have your number. Do you think you can beat him?
CL: Yes I do, I definitely do!

BZ: Can we get a prediction for the Rampage-Henderson fight?
CL: I think Henderson is tough, really tough. it will be interesting to see how he will do against Rampage though.

BZ: Henderson's never been knocked out.
CL: Wait, has Hendo been knocked out before? How did Wanderlei win the first time they fought?

BZ: Decision.
CL: Oh, that's right.

BZ: As far as training, what type of things are you reevaluating? Are there any changes you're looking to make?
CL: Well I mean, John has been working on my defense a little bit more, for the most part, business as usual. I made a mistake and got caught; it's just part of the game. I have gotten away with that punch for a long time, this time I didn't.

BZ: Can you tell us a little bit about your workout regimen and diet?
CL: I just have a guy come in here and make my meals every day. He has them packaged up in my kitchen and ready to go and eat. As far as working out goes, I workout 4 to 5 days a week, 2 to 3 times a day.

BZ: How many more years do you plan on fighting?
CL: As long as my body let's me man, I feel great now. Feelin' real good so, I should be good for a while, at least I hope so.

BZ: If you get on the Randy Couture plan, you should be all right.
CL: I know, right? That's what I plan to do.

BZ: Would the thought of fighting for another organization ever cross your mind?
CL: Well I think the UFC is the place I'm going to be, but in the future you never really know, it's the biggest organization in the game and I think to be the best you gotta fight the best, and the best fighters are in UFC right now.

BZ: With all the PRIDE fighters flooding in, would you consider moving to another weight class to face new challengers? I know it's something you've said in the past that you would try.
CL: It's possible man, anything's possible for me right now.

BZ: Many of the critics out there are claiming that you have a hard time against good strikers, what do you have to say in response to those accusations?
CL: I don't really know what to say to that, I've never really seen myself as having too much problems with good strikers.

BZ: What are the biggest differences you noticed when fighting in PRIDE at Japan in comparison to fighting here in the UFC in the US?
CL: Big differences, definitely differences between the fans, it's the whole cultural thing, the way they acted and how quiet it is in the arena in Japan compared to here you know? But, I just like fighting man; I don't care where, man or how the fans are.

BZ: Dana White said that you needed 2 wins to earn a title shot, how do you feel about that?
CL: Uh, I don't think that's fair necessarily but, if that's what I gotta do…that's what I gotta do. I don't care, like I said I don't care I just want to fight man.

BZ: Many believe that Jardine is a major mismatch for you, what do you feel about Jardine as an opponent? Do you think his striking abilities are polished enough to face you?
CL: Well I hope so for him!

BZ: In your second fight against Tito Ortiz, what was going through your head when you saw that he was hurt and did it change the game plan you had for him?
CL: Not at all, I was expecting to hurt him sooner or later. I just jumped on him like I normally would, I just wanted him to quit, I wanted him to quit to it. I mean, he pretty much did, he wasn't defending himself anymore and he knows that.

BZ: Does your body undergo a sudden change, whether it is physical or mental, when you realize your opponent is in trouble?
CL: No, it happens so quickly. I wouldn't really know nor have any idea. People ask me a lot about me being in a bar and what's it feel like, "What does it feels like when you walk in a bar and know you can kick everyone's ass?" I mean, I don't know, I never thought about it, I don't know what it feels like to not be able to kick everyone's ass. I just hope I never have to do it.

BZ: What is the first thing you notice in your opponent before trying to finish them?
CL: That they're hurt! You can see it in their eyes and actions. You know a lot of times you see guys nod their head and smile like they're all right, trying to pretend and say that, "Hey I'm ok!" when they're really not. "I want you to give me some time and not jump on me for a while."

BZ: Not too long ago, you said in an interview that you don't choose your opponents. In your words, what happened with the fight against Wanderlei Silva?
CL: I have no idea, that's not my business. I agreed for it and I thought it was on for a minute and then it wasn't. You guys know about that more than about me.

BZ: It's been going around that you two might face each other at a UFC event in December, where Silva is set to make his debut. Can you confirm this?
CL: I haven't heard anything about that; I get questions like that all the time like: "Hey when's your next fight?" "Who's your next opponent?" (Laughs) I have no idea man, so if you know that, you know more than me.

BZ: What was it like doing an episode of Entourage?
CL: It was fun man, really fun. I asked to get on that show so…it's my favorite show. I love it.

BZ: How did you get the nickname "The Iceman?" Is there a good story behind that?
CL: John started calling me that after my third kickboxing fight and he said I don't get nervous before fights. He kept mentioning how he had tons of amateur fights and pro fights and would still get nervous before every fight. So, he just kinda started calling me that and it just stuck.

BZ: Are there any sponsors you'd like to thank?
CL: Oh yeah, uh, check out my website at www.iceman.tv and mmajacked.com

BZ: Anything you'd like to say to your fans?
CL: Yeah, I'll be out there fighting man, nothing's changed. I'll be out there swinging soon so, just keep watching!

IRISH WHIP FIGHTING EXCLUSIVE: RAMEAU THIERRY SOKOUDJOU INTERVIEW

I caught up with The African Assassin late last week to discuss his contract situation, the EliteXC fall out, the prospect of fighting Dan Henderson, his thoughts on Fedor, and more! He's one of the least interviewed and most talked about stars in all of MMA and he had some extremely interesting things to say during the course of our half hour conversation. Sokoudjou opens up inside!

Ben Zeidler: Do you still have family in West Africa or have they all moved to the U.S. with you?
Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou: I actually still have family all around the world. I’ve got family in Russia and in Finland.

BZ: With your two most recent knockouts putting you near the top of the Light Heavyweights, who is next in your crosshairs? Who do you have the most desire to fight?
RTS: At this point, I don’t really know. I’m not tied down to anyone or any organization. I wanted Shogun, but as of now, no one is lined up. I don’t have a job, man! (Laughs) It’s hard to call anyone out when you don’t have a job.

BZ: Having been the underdog for both you Nogueira and Arona fight, do you enjoy having the underdog role better and being able to shut up all your critics?
RTS: It really doesn’t matter to me, you know? Every time I take a fight, I’m going to beat the other guy whether I’m the underdog or not. No matter who he is, I just want to fight the best guys and have good fights.

BZ: You've certainly showed MMA critics and fans around the world that you can strike, but you’re also 2001 US Open Judo Champion; do you plan on utilizing your judo skills more often in your fights to come?
RTS: You know, it’s all about strategy. Nogueira and Arona are Jiu-Jitsu guys and I thought I’d have to do that. I thought I’d have to be with them on the ground and I trained for that. You don’t always know how the fight is going to go, but I do train for the strengths of other fighters.

BZ: How hard was the transition from the gi in Judo to the no-gi situation in MMA? Do you find a lot of your judo techniques ineffective now that the gi is not present?
RTS: (Laughs) Even as of today, I tried a judo throw and I got yelled at. I’m still making the transition and learning what I can do and what I can’t.

BZ: Are there specific skills (be it wrestling, jiu jitsu, boxing, etc.) that you plan on focusing more so than others?
RTS: It really depends on who I’m fighting. Whether it’s a boxer or a wrestler, I’ll train differently to get ready for a specific fighter. What the other guy can do changes my game plan, and what my training looks like.

BZ: In your words, what happened with the EliteXC deal?
RTS: There were too many changes on the contract. And I guess the details were never hammered out. Man, I’m not a lawyer and they hand me some 20 page contract for me and Parsons to look over, but that’s not my job. My job is to fight. We had a lawyer check it out; I don’t know exactly what happened but we chose not to sign. I just want to train and get ready instead of dealing with contracts.

BZ: Leader of your Team Quest camp, Ryan Parsons, stated that you are now waiting to sign with K-1, is still the case?
RTS: I’m unemployed…that’s all I can say right now. I wish I could tell you, man.

BZ: Do you prefer fighting in a cage or in the traditional ring?
RTS: Wherever the money is, man! Cage or ring, I don’t care, baby! I guess, though, that the cage is easier for me because I can lean on it when I get tired. But when it comes down to it, no matter where I am, the guy across the ring from me is a fighter and so it doesn’t really matter.

BZ: How did you originally meet Dan and was he the one who really sparked your interest in MMA?
RTS: I met him in November before his Nakamura fight. They were looking for a judo guy to help him train and they called me in and he beat me up bad. I was 240 and he was 183 and he still beat me up pretty bad. Then, they called me in again before Machida. I used to think that MMA was just a bunch of guys in their underwear in a cage, but after training with them, I really respect the sport.

BZ: Have you gotten a chance to help your manager and fellow Team Quest fighter, Dan Henderson train for his upcoming bout with Jackson?
RTS: We started a couple weeks ago and he’s beating everyone in the room and working hard. He’ll be ready.

BZ: Will you be in Henderson’s corner at UFC 75?
RTS: I'll probably be in his corner if he wants me there. It would be a great honor.

BZ: How do you think Henderson matches up against Jackson, and what's your prediction for the fight?
RTS: Come on now! Obviously, Dan will win the fight quite easily.

BZ: If the money was right and the opportunity arose, would you ever step up to the plate to fight Dan Henderson for the belt?
RTS: Well, would you pay to see Dan knock me out?

BZ: Absolutely. (Laughs)
RTS: (Laughs) He beats me up enough in practice and I don’t need to be embarrassed on TV.

BZ: Hell, I’d fight Dan Henderson if the money were right.
RTS: Shit…that would suck, man.

BZ: Who in your opinion is the greatest of all time?
RTS: It takes a lot to step into the cage and give everything up so I’d have to say everyone. Everyone who trains to fight. So many guys put everything into training and never get their first fight.

BZ: Do you think Fedor is unbeatable? If not, what are his weaknesses?
RTS: No one is unbeatable, it takes the right guy with the right strategy. When Cro Cop fought him, he was able to show us that Fedor isn't perfect and I think that if the right striker came along, he would be able to beat him. He’s human so someone will come up with a game plan and someone will beat him.

BZ: How do you rank yourself amongst the other fighters in your weight class?
RTS: I’m just another fighter. (Laughs) You’d like it if I said I was the best, wouldn’t you.

BZ: Yep. Tell me you’re better than all of them.
RTS: (Laughs) No way, man. You know how to figure that out? Get us all in a tournament and have a point system based on type of win and strength of win. The numbers will tell you who is the best. To me, it doesn’t make sense because I come from a judo background and other guys do not. We all have our own strengths. There’s a difference between being in the Olympics and different MMA organizations. It is all too different to have rankings. Rankings don’t mean anything to me, I’m just a fighter.

BZ: So, you’re only 23 years of age, and you’ve obviously got a huge future in front of you. Are there any other specific goals or things you want to accomplish outside of your fighting career?
RTS: I’d like to get a degree. All of my brothers have two masters and I want to go back to school. Maybe I’ll become a doctor.

BZ: Now, what is your take on this ongoing steroid issue amongst fighters?
RTS: Cheating has always been a part of the game. Lots of people say if you don’t cheat, you aren’t trying hard enough. Some people just make the wrong decisions and I’m not familiar with those kinds of things. I think it’s bad for the sport because those guys who are doing it…what will happen next, you know? Everyone will do it and it will get out of control.

BZ: Are there any sponsors you’d like to thank? Or anything we can plug for you?
RTS: Yeah, go check out africanassassin.com

BZ: Anything you’d like to say to your fans?
RTS: I hope to have two fights by the end of the year. I just want to entertain people and have a good fight, that’s it.

BZ: Okay, I have to ask flat out. Are you signing with the UFC?
RTS: I wish I could tell you tonight, man. I wish I could tell you tomorrow, but as of today Ryan Parson is still working on it.

BZ: Give me a call when you know where you’re headed. We’d love to be the ones to break the story.
RTS: All right man, send me a text or write to me on myspace with your email and I will keep you updated and let you know as soon as I find out where I’m going.

BZ: Sounds like a plan. Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me tonight.
RTS: No problem, man.

BZ: Talk to you later…
RTS: Okay, sounds good.

IRISH WHIP FIGHTING EXCLUSIVE: TITO ORTIZ INTERVIEW

The first true poster boy of the UFC and 5-time defender of the Light Heavyweight Championship, Tito Ortiz, recently sat down for a long chat with Irish Whip Fighting. He discussed everything from his fight with Rashad, the rematch, boxing with Dana White, Fedor in the UFC, and more. An Interview By Ben Zeidler

Ben Zeidler: What is the biggest difference in the fight game now as opposed to when you were starting out?
Tito Ortiz: Well I think it's a lot more well-rounded now. You used to just have jiu-jitsu guys, just really good wrestlers and strikers. After a while, you started having a lot of better guys like: Frank Shamrock, Chuck Liddell, Guy Mezger. You know the boxing and kick-boxing, wrestling and having it all together. I think that's what fighters are doing now and showing what can happen.

BZ: Was Rashad tougher than you had expected? Were you impressed at all by his wrestling abilities?
TO: No, not really. He's exactly what I trained for. Well, his strength was a little less, I thought he'd be stronger but, he wasn't. As far as his quickness, I knew that he'd be that fast but, I got a few wrestlers to train with, Aaron Simpsons from Arizona State actually had the same speed as Rashad and so I was able to defend pretty well.

BZ: Is it tough training for a fight you already won?
TO: I don't think of it like that. Rashad knows who won; it's just a little icing on the cake. He pretty much was just running away the whole time.

BZ: You're getting into the habit of having to beat guys more than once. First, Shamrock and hopefully, Rashad next.
TO: Yeah, it looks like these guys don't listen the first time.

BZ: Did the draw for the Rashad fight come as a complete surprise to you or did you kind of sense that happening after the fence grabbing point deduction?
TO: You know at the time I thought it was a draw and I thought it was the right decision, but after watching it afterwards 5 or 6 times I think I should have won the first round. I dominated completely, the second round we tied, third round tied, I got a takedown in the beginning and he got one in the last 10 seconds. I think I might have won 1 of the 3 rounds.

BZ: Do you plan to change your game plan in your next fight against Rashad Evans or will it relatively similar?
TO: It's going to come down to wrestling and work on my striking. I mean, not too much to change really, you know be a little bit more aggressive. I know he's going to come in being in great shape.

BZ: Which way do you expect to finish Rashad the second time around? I'm assuming you won't let it go to a decision...
TO: (Laughs) Definitely not a decision! No way is it going in the judges hands. I see me knocking him out or submitting him in the second or third, maybe even the first. I'll impose my will on him whenever I want. Yeah let's hope so, I plan to try a lot of submissions, you know? Wrestlers make a lot of mistakes and don't learn to defend these submissions too well.

BZ: You'll have to catch him first.
TO: (Laughs) I know, right? I won't let him run away this time.

BZ: Who are you looking forward to fighting after Rashad? Is it still Shogun?
TO: Um yeah, that'll be awesome. Shogun, Wanderlei, you know any of the top guys. There's a lot of tops guys that I haven't gotten a chance to fight yet and I think I'd do good against. I've fought Wanderlei before and it was a good match up and I think the fans would love it.

BZ: How about a third bout against Liddell or a second against Randy? Are there any rematches that you really want?
TO: Yeah definitely, any of those are possibilities. I would love them, whatever I have to do to get the world title, that's what's going to have to happen.

BZ: Did you get a chance to see Frank Shamrock's last fight against Baroni? Were you impressed at all with his performance?
TO: Oh of course, I paid the PPV dollars to see that, it was a damn good fight, really good fight. I thought it was hilarious when Frank made a point that he was going to make Baroni go to sleep, I thought "Oh the old Frank is back," Frank showed that he's still a champ at heart.

BZ: How do you think a rematch would go down if you fought Frank today?
TO: You know to be honest with you, I don't think he'd last the second or third round. I think he'd get crushed. I'm too big for him, he's lighter, that would be a good one.

BZ: Since we're on the Shamrock topic, everyone saw you and Ken embrace each other after the last fight. Is the bad blood between you two over now?
TO: I would say the bad blood is over. I'm just pretty much going on with my career.

BZ: Is it true that you bet against Rampage in his rematch with Liddell?
TO: Um yeah, I actually did it was just a little gamble; it wasn't to say I wanted Rampage to lose or anything like that. I will spend the same amount of money again, it was exciting just for the fight, and he dominated very well and very quick and shocked the world. I'm glad he did that, he deserves the world title.

BZ: How did you see Liddell winning prior to the fight?
TO: Before the fight, I thought Liddell would be able to strike and stay away like usual. But I've never seen Liddell back up like that before and that's when I thought it was going to be a quick fight for him.

BZ: We know that you and Rampage are good friends. If you were offered the opportunity, and the money were right, would you fight him?
TO: You know, if that was my job I think me and Rampage would have to talk about it. Personally, I wouldn't like to fight him but if we were on a collision course, I'd sit down with Rampage and we would figure it out.

BZ: What's your prediction for Rampage's next fight with Hendo?
TO: You know, I think Rampage will have the chance to knock him out. He's a lot bigger than Hendo. Hendo would definitely need to work the clinch position to win, like Wanderlei and Shogun did. As a trainer and a fighter, I'd say this is where he needs to expose him.

BZ: Henderson's never been knocked out.
TO: Hendo is a tough, tough guy. But, I still think Rampage will have the chance to knock him out.

BZ: How do you respond to the critics that say you've spent too much time fighting an old Ken Shamrock?
TO: Well before the fight started I heard everyone say that Shamrock was going to kick my butt but after I dominated him three times, then everyone had to talk smack. I mean, I don't really listen to those guys; I'm going to finish my career how I want. I stopped him quicker than anyone else has done in the past.

BZ: You recently bought a house in Big Bear from De La hoya, have you ever trained with him or would you plan on it in the future?
TO: No, I never trained with him...not sure about in the future. My main thing is MMA, so there's a big difference between that and boxing. I purchased it as an investment, thank God I did though. I had a sponsor that was supposed to help me out but, they pulled out at the last minute. Thank God my girl Jenna said, "Why don't you buy it? You deserve it." And so, I took that choice and did it and I'm thankful, it was a great purchase and investment.

BZ: Sometimes you need the girl to come along and put everything in perspective.
TO: Definitely. Yeah, I came from a broke family and I work so hard for my money but sometimes it's hard for me to spend...but why not invest in land?

BZ: Who do you see as the "next big thing" in the light heavyweight division? And where do you rank yourself among the 205's?
TO: You know, of course Shogun, Rampage, Hendo, Chuck, myself, Arona, Sokoudjou, a lot of good light heavyweights. I'm still here, people say I'm washed up, I'm 32 years old, well you know what, people have bad fights and I'm going to compete for another 3 or 4 years. I'm not going anywhere soon. (Laughs) And Rashad, I'm going to crush his face.

BZ: You're not exactly a fan favorite with the Sherdoggers. Any comments on that?
TO: I always have fans that say Tito is fighting someone small again, you know all these laptop warriors, they make me lose my mind, makes me laugh. They've never trained a day in their life and they're all pros all of a sudden.

BZ: Can you give us your pick for "Best Fight of the First Half of 2007"?
TO: Um, Rampage knocking out Liddell, that was the best one ever. That's something that just, I don't know, that's what fights are made of, you never know who's going to win. That one and I'd say the Matt Serra one that made me go wild.

BZ: Yep, the Matt Serra one just floored me.
TO: I know man, I couldn't believe it. That's why they fight the fights.

BZ: Is your relationship with Dana White damaged enough where it could potentially lead to you signing with another organization or are you too loyal to the fans of the UFC?
TO: I'm very loyal to the fans of UFC, to the Fertittas. That's why I took a step back and two steps forward and I've been going straight to Lorenzo. Me and Dana don't get along well in business and I'm not going to be bullied. He's constantly saying that I'm a horrible fighter, a loser, and I suck.

BZ: I'd go as far as saying that your UFC 40 fight against Shamrock was the number one turning point in the success of the UFC.
TO: You know, I've been doing this stuff for 10 years now, I've been putting my butt on the line for 10 years! I've been doing so damn much, I guarantee if you looked up which UFC fighter has made the most money, I guarantee it'll be me. Me and Liddell got over a million PPV buys, 1.3 million, those are astonishing numbers. They promote their greatest fighters and I'm a great fighter and Liddell's a great fighter.

BZ: How about the boxing match with Dana? What happened there?
TO: You know what, as of right now I'm really not thinking of that at all. I'd love for it to happen but I don't think it'll happen. He used it to become a superstar, to have that Dana White special and downplay me to make me look bad on television. He said sorry and goes on national radio and said how much of a moron me and Jenna are. I don't see how he is president of a multi million dollar company, that's why I'm working with Lorenzo now.

BZ: Who do you think is at fault for Fedor not yet being in the UFC? Dana or Fedor?
TO: Dana! Definitely Dana! Plain and simple. I know Fedor's management asked for a specific amount of money and Dana said something like, he's not popular enough in the States and Dana said no way and didn't show him any respect.

BZ: In your eyes, who is the greatest fighter of all time? Is it Fedor?
TO: Randy Couture, hands down.

BZ: I just got done watching UFC 68 and every time he throws that first punch, I can't believe it. It's incredible.
TO: You know, in UFC 68, he dominated. He threw punches with no fear and won that fight.

BZ: Having fought Griffin before, how do you think he will match-up against Shogun when they meet?
TO: I hope he beats Shogun, I think it would be awesome; I'd laugh my ass off. I really think he has the tools to do it you know; he has Couture in his corner. I'd love to see that. Shogun's weakness is wrestling and I think Griffin can expose that. We all know Shogun will be coming in with great strikes and jiu-jitsu.

BZ: Obviously, the steroid issue has been a hot topic as of late. Why are all these guys stupid enough to take steroids if they know they can get caught?
TO: Yeah, right? Well, I think, why would they even take the chance? I don't know, I ask myself that. I've heard a couple interviews, if Sherk says he didn't do it, I believe him. I know he's doing a lot of vitamins and I know that stuff may have something to do with it. I'm not 100% sure what those things test as positive.

BZ: What's next after fighting, are you just looking to place all your focus on your girlfriend Jenna and your clothing line Team Punishment?
TO: Yeah well, Team Punishment and Punishment Athletics and the fight team are two different things you know, www.punishment.com check it out. I started it just as a fan asking for Tito Ortiz T-shirt and my brother said, "Man, you punished that guy!" and I said, "What did you say?" and I was, "Hmm, wow." So, I put it on my website and now it's a multi-million dollar company and everything is my idea, my design. We started getting lots of clothing, T-shirts, jackets, sweaters, and beanies, pretty much everything.

BZ: How about those shirts you wear after events? I want the one that says "I killed Kenny! You bastard!" I think you wore that after the first fight with Shamrock?
TO: Yep, you can get that right on the site too.

BZ: I heard from MMA Weekly that dress clothes are the next thing for you guys. Any comments on that?
TO: Dress clothes is the next step now on www.punishment.com, just punishment, now we're doing the dress up stuff for dinners, clubs, button-downs, Levis, fitted shirts.

BZ: I think that's it for now. Thanks for taking the time Tito. We really appreciate it.
TO: No problem, have a good one.

IRISH WHIP EXCLUSIVE: ANDREI ARLOVSKI INTERVIEW

I got a chance to speak with former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei "Pitbull" Arlovski. Andrei Arlovski is ranked, by many around the world, as one of the top 10 MMA heavyweights in the world. Arlovski holds notable wins over a who's who of fighters, which include: former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia, Ian Freeman, PRIDE veteran Fabricio Werdum, heavy hitter Paul Buentello, Vladimir Matyushenko and many others. Arlovski is best known for his incredible striking abilities, mobility on the feet, Sambo skills, dangerous submissions and even his unique mouthpiece, which contains two fangs, an accurate portrayal of his nickname, the "Pit Bull."

See what Andrei Arlovski had to say about his current status with the UFC, Dana White, Fedor and much, much more! An interview by Masson Liang

Masson Liang: First off, how are things between you and Patrycja shaping up? Are you guys thinking of marriage anytime soon?
Andrei Arlovski: Everything is good with us, thank you for asking. We are in love, but not thinking about marriage.

ML: How has everything been going, as far as training goes? With a nearly four-month hiatus now, are you still keeping in tip-top shape and training even though, according to Joe silva, you don't have a fight booked?
AA: I always try and keep in shape. I take a couple weeks off after a fight and then go back to the gym. I get to work on technique for boxing, jiu-jitsu and wrestling and other things that need help. I also do some weights and conditioning.

ML: Many fans are wondering where you've been. When can "Pitbull" fans expect you back inside The Octagon?
AA: Hopefully soon. I was thinking September/October, but it is up to the UFC.

ML: Even though you won your last two bouts, even nearly knocking Marcio Cruz's head off, Dana White stated that you're last showings weren't very great and that it set you back. What are your feelings toward this?
AA: My opinion and my teams opinion is that I did a good job. It’s just the opinion of Dana White.

ML: Has UFC's treatment towards you changed in the past years and would you ever consider moving to another organization?
AA: I am very glad to be with the UFC and still have contract with them. I am UFC fighter now. Everything is good.

ML: What did it feel like to win the Heavyweight title from Tim Sylvia at UFC 51? Did you expect to win via Achilles lock?
AA: It was a very happy moment. I never know how I am going to win the fight but I always have a plan.

ML: In your words, what happened in your second bout with Sylvia? Did you think the fight was over after you rocked him the first time?
AA: I went out very confident that I would win. Yes I did... I thought when I dropped him on the ground I was sure I beat him again.

ML: Many critics said you weren't as aggressive in your fight with Werdum. Is there any reason behind this? Were there any injuries or were you just playing it safe and trying to keep the fight on its feet?
AA: I just follow instructions of my coaches and go and fight. Werdum is a very skilled fighter and I had to be careful with him on the ground.

ML: With PRIDE heavyweights, "Minotauro" Nogueira and Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic, and many newcomers (i.e. Gabriel Gonzaga) now in the UFC, how do you rank yourself amongst the UFC Heavyweights today?
AA: It is very good for the UFC that Dana brought great fighters to the UFC. I hope that one day I will fight one of those new, big names.

ML: Is there any one particular fighter you would like to fight in the UFC? Perhaps a rematch with Tim Sylvia?
AA: I want to fight with the best and become heavyweight champion again. For sure I would like to fight with Tim Sylvia one more time if it is possible.

ML: Many people believe you match-up perfectly with "Cro Cop." How do you think you match-up with him?
AA: I think that we match up very well and if the UFC wants us to fight, we will. He is a very good fighter.

ML: In the ever-popular discussion of "Who can beat Fedor?" your name often appears. What strengths do you have that could carry you to victory over him?
AA: Thank you. When I was a champion I wanted to fight with Fedor but I don’t know that it is possible now. He is a great fighter, but I don’t think he is unbeatable.

ML: You recently landed a role as a Russian fighter in the movie "Never Submit." Can you tell us more about that?
AA: I am not doing that movie anymore.

ML: Well Andrei, we'd like to thank you so much for your time and support and we surely wish you the best in the future and are dying to see your return. Are there any sponsors you'd like to thank or anything to say to your fans?
AA: Yes. Thank you to all my fans for their support after my two losses. Please look at my web site (www.arlovski.tv) and myspace.com/arlovski for updates on me and my career.

IRISH WHIP EXCLUSIVE: BEN ROTHWELL

Recently IrishWhipFighting writer Doug MacEwan caught up with one of MMA’s most talented young heavyweights in Ben Rothwell. With an impressive 26-5 record including a recent streak of 12 straight victories Ben has been tearing through the IFL as a member of Pat Miletich’s Silverbacks. Known for his devastating knockout power inside the ring and as one the nicest guys in the sport once he steps out of fight mode Ben shared with Doug everything from his latest 13 second victory to his strange experience with a lady and her dog while in an elevator in Japan.

Doug MacEwan: Ben,I have heard great things about how well the IFL treats their athletes. How did you get started with them and what is your relationship like with everyone there?
Ben Rothwell: I got my start with the encouragement of Pat Miletich. He explained the team concept to me and after winning my first fight I really enjoyed the whole process. They have a great support system and all the people involved behind the scene make my life a lot easier. I wasn’t really sure what to expect at first but I can’t say enough great things about the IFL.

DM: What do you think about the team concept and how does that affect your strategy?
BR: You know once I step into the ring its still traditional MMA…you against the other guy, let the best man win. Some teams try to use a lot of strategy and line the fights up with their best guys going first, but our team is so balanced from top to bottom we really don’t care which order we fight and just let Pat put us where he wants us. The thing that is a little different and that I happen to really like is how close all the guys are and the support we all give each other.

DM: Having fought in both the ring and the cage which do you prefer?
BR: I’ve been doing both since 1999 and I actually prefer the cage because it better suits my style. Some times I feel like a caged animal because my knee and elbow strikes on the ground are so devastating, and in the IFL I can’t use that aspect of my game. I also know that fighter safety is important, so I understand why they took that part of the game out.

DM: We hear that you started fighting at 17 using a fake ID….what attracted you to the fight game at an age when most people are in high school competing in wrestling or playing football or baseball?
BR: I played football and baseball when I was younger but I really wanted to get into MMA and started training and just fell in love with it. I had no concept of ground fighting and after I got into it I thought it was amazing how technical and effective it was. I was hooked

DM: What do you enjoy most about the sport of MMA?
BR: Other than the fact that I’m really good at it and love competing, it answered that age old question of what the best martial art really is. Before MMA you had so many styles claiming they were the best, and with MMA you put each style to the test. What we all found out is that no one style is the absolute best and in a way MMA is its own style adapted from all the others to be the most effective martial art in its own right.

DM: When did you realize this was something you could turn into a career?
BR: My very first competition. I fought twice that night and won both fights. It was the greatest experience and I immediately knew this was what I wanted to do with my life. I find it pretty funny when I hear fighters complain about not being paid enough…I fought a brutal three round battle with Tim Sylvia for $250 when I was only 19. I’ve paid my dues and fought almost for free in my early days. It just goes to show how much I enjoy all of this. I fight because I love the sport and all the recognition and the money I make now is just gravy.

DM: You have accomplished quite a bit considering at 25 you are much younger than almost all the other top heavyweights out there. What are some of the goals you have for the future?
BR: My goal has always been to never stop improving and to take in as much as I can from every experience I have. This is a sport that’s constantly evolving and to stay ahead of the competition you have to be willing to learn. I know that three years ago I would not have wanted to step in the cage against the Ben Rothwell of today, and in three years from now I know I will be a much better fighter than I am today. I think that’s why you see most great champions like Fedor and Randy are a little older. I also want to leave my mark in this sport as a great champion and as long as I continue to develop as a fighter I will eventually have that opportunity.

DM: Which of your victories has been the most satisfying to you?
BR: My last fight felt really good because Krzysztof Soszynski is a really tough guy and even though I had beaten him before he was telling everyone how much he had improved from the first time we fought and that he had trained harder than he had ever trained in his life to fight me. As you know I knocked him out 13 seconds into the first round and showed everyone I am constantly improving my game as well.

DM: I know that being a fighter you have been all over the globe…what are some of the coolest places you seen and do you have any crazy stories you want to share with us?
BR: I have been fortunate enough to travel to places like Brazil, Russia and Japan and of course pretty much everywhere in the US. Being a fighter you get an opportunity to see and experience a lot and that is something I don’t take for granted. One story that I think is pretty funny took place while I was in an elevator in Tokyo with Spencer Fisher. Spencer and I standing there when a lady carrying her little dog walks in. Spencer and I were trying to talk to her and even though she really didn’t understand us she kept nodding her head and smiling at everything we said. Spencer is a pretty funny guy and starts telling the little dog that the lady was taking him home to eat him for dinner and of course the lady kept nodding and smiling and agreeing with everything he way saying. I tried not to bust out laughing but I couldn’t help it and was nearly in tears by the time we got off the elevator.

DM: You have been fighting for the IFL for about two years now and have dominated their HW division….what are the chances of seeing you seek out new competition, possibly with another organization?
BR: I really enjoy fighting for the IFL and the talent pool is constantly growing. I don’t really worry about stuff like that and I try to stay focused on improving as a fighter and everything else will take care of itself.

DM: Who are some of the fighters you look up to?
BR: I would have to say Randy Couture…he is such an amazing fighter and the fact that he is still at the top of the game at 44 is just incredible. I also have a lot of respect for GSP because he is not only a great fighter but he is great with the fans as well. I know that I try to make myself as accessible as possible for the fans and he is the same way. Of course there is also Pat Miletich who has always been someone that I look up to and I have a tremendous amount of respect for him.

DM: I know that many of the fighters will log on to websites like Sherdog to see what the fans are saying…what are some of the websites you look at from time to time?
BR: I don’t really have a lot of time but I will go on to the IFL website, MMA.tv and occasionally the Sherdog Forums.

DM: We have all heard stories of you being a great cook and that you came from a family of cooks. Do you plan on exploring this talent when your fighting days are over?
BR: Yeah I do love to cook and can cook just about anything. I make a killer sandwich and at some point in my life I would love to open up my own café.

DM: Ben, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me today, I really enjoyed this opportunity and I look forward to seeing you in action live at the IFL Grand Prix in November. Anything you want to say to your fans and everyone out there that will read this?
BR: My pleasure, I plan on putting on a great show for all the fans and its going to be a really exciting event. To all the fans out there I really appreciate all your support and don’t ever hesitate to come up and introduce yourself or ask for an autograph. The IFL fans have been great and I will continue to do everything I can to put on a great show.

IRISH WHIP EXCLUSIVE: DAN HENDERSON INTERVIEW

Irish Whip Fighting sat down with the one and only PRIDE FC Middleweight and Welterweight Champion, Dan "Hollywood" Henderson. We got his thoughts on PRIDE vs. UFC, Wanderlei Silva, his upcoming title fight with Rampage Jackson, if he plans to move down to Middleweight, and much more! An Interview By Ben Zeidler

Ben Zeidler: You've mentioned that you felt Wanderlei Silva was disrespectful towards you in interviews? Recently knocking out Wanderlei Silva, do you still have any negative feelings towards him?
Dan Henderson: I never really had negative feelings for him at all. I don't think he was that disrespectful, it was just…I always felt that we had mutual respect, especially after we fought the first time.

BZ: Do you have any plans to capture the UFC MW belt or do you prefer to fight at 205lbs now?
DH: Uh, I think it's up to me. The thing that I'm focused on right now is winning this fight, nothing else, whatever happens after that you know, happens.

BZ: Who in the UFC would you like to fight now that most of the talent pool is consolidated?
DH: I mean it doesn't matter to me, I mean, I'm just concerned about winning this fight and being the champ there and whoever is the, you know, the next guy in line for that title shot, I guess I'll be fighting him. Really, at this point it isn't up to me.

BZ: What made you test yourself in MMA after your wrestling career?
DH: Uh, well I started fighting while I was still wrestling. I wrestled for another three years when I started fighting. I was only fighting to get some money to keep wrestling. I had no desires to fight for that long but, once I started fighting full time, I started thinking that I was going to do it for much longer than I had anticipated.

BZ: What type of thoughts or feelings are running through your head knowing that you have the chance of being the first in history to hold three different title belts?
DH: It's amazing, I think that it is a great opportunity that I have in front of me and I want to make sure that I don't waste that opportunity and make sure I'm definitely as prepared as I can be for this fight, mentally and physically, on that night to win.

BZ: Are you planning to change anything in training to prepare yourself for Rampage Jackson?
DH: Yeah, I'm obviously going to switch it up and do more elbows to the face and head. I brushed up on my wrestling and my standup so, it's pretty much business as usual with some specifics in mind.

BZ: Do you have a prediction for us?
DH: Haha, well I definitely want to be the winner for that one, more likely in the later rounds if not a decision, depends on what condition he comes in at.

BZ: Do you have any knowledge as to what organization fellow Team Quest fighter, Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou has his eyes set upon?
DH: Well I manage him, so I do know, but nothing is set in stone. I'd rather not comment until then, when things are confirmed.

BZ: Fighting the majority of your career in Japan, how welcoming are fans here in the U.S.?
DH: Uh well, they're a little bit more rowdy, a little drunker, and they boo a little bit more but, you know, the excitement is there, the energy is there. Its very comparable energy wise, they're just different, I like them both.

BZ: Having fought in UFC 17, do you prefer fighting in a cage or a ring?
DH: I prefer the ring; I prefer to watch the fights through the ring too.

BZ: So far, how was UFC's treatment towards you differing from that of PRIDE's?
DH: You know it's fair to this point, still in the feeling out period. They haven't completely come to me with open arms, so I'm a little apprehensive. But, I'll be in the UFC for a long time and I plan to finish my career in the UFC. We're just starting out the relationship.

BZ: Okay Dan, I think that's it. Thanks so much for taking the time to talk to us today. We really appreciate it.
DH: No problem, let me know if you need anything else. Just give me a call anytime. Have a good one guys.

IrishWhipFighting Exclusive: The Girls Behind MMAGirls.net!

Here's Irish Whip Fighting, coming at you with another exclusive interview with the ever-so-popular girls of MMAGirls.net, Joanne and Lauren! Both born and raised in South Africa, both girls moved to Florida and currently attend UCF in Orlando, FL. Joanne and Lauren are best known for their incredible UFC prediction videos, found on YouTube.com, and more recently, their technique videos! Oh, and their stunning looks don't hurt either ;)

IrishWhipFighting: How did each of you get started in martial arts? Would you consider yourself more of a striker of a grappler?
Joanne: I starting watching UFC about 3 years ago. All my guy friends were really into it, and they would teach me submissions. I am definitely more of a grappler, but I am excited to start Muay Thai in the future and improve my striking.
Lauren: My dad and little brother both trained in martial arts and that is how I initially became involved. I eventually decided that it was time to start training myself. Currently, I am more of a grappler, but I also plan to start formal Muay Thai training in the very near future.

IWF: How often do you girls train a week (hours)?
J: I train about 2-3 hours a week. I have been busy with colllege and also balancing various promotional jobs. I just graduated so I will have more time to devote to training.
L: I also train 2-3 hours during the week and sometimes a few hours over the weekend. I have a full time job as well as two ongoing promotional jobs, so my schedule gets a little crazy.

IWF: Have either of you competed in any grappling or submission tournaments (i.e.NAGA)? If so, who did you girls do?
J: We haven't competed yet. I definitely want to in the future. I need more hours grappling live to feel more comfortable to compete.
L: Not yet, but we will!

IWF: Have either of you ever considered taking your MMA skills to a professional level and join the likes of Gina Carano, Julie Kedzie, etc.?
J: I don't know if I could compete in a pro MMA event. I'm a little girl and leg kicks hurt. I respect anyone who can handle that type of pressure.
L: Right now my career path lies in a different direction, but who knows? I admire all the female MMA fighters that have gone to the professional level.

IWF: If not, have you ever thought about trying out to be the next UFC, WEC, or IFL ring-girl?
J: No. Those girls are gorgeous, but that's just not for me.
L: I agree with Joanne. I would rather be fighting.

IWF: Have you had a chance to attend any major PPV events yet?
J: Unfortunately I haven't had a chance to attend a major event, but I have gone to a lot of local MMA events (here in Orlando, FL).
L: I have been to a lot of Florida events, but no UFC's yet. I would love to go. Anyone want to buy me a ticket?

IWF: What are some fighters you've met in the past and what were your experiences like?
J: I have only met local fighters. All the guys seem really nice.
L: I have met some of the fighters from The Ultimate Fighter TV show as well as local fighters. They are all very passionate about MMA and that's awesome.

IWF: Have you girls ever had unleash your skills in any situation or event (i.e. a party, a club, a bar, school, etc.)?
J: I have. Probably about six months or so ago I was joking around with one of my guy friends that doesn't train. He tried to shoot in on me and take me down and I got him in a guillotine in the first 10 seconds. He wasn't too happy.
L: Not that I can think of.

IWF: How do guys usually react when they find out that you two aren't your everyday college girls, as far as your martial arts experience and MMA knowledge goes?
J: Most people are shocked, especially since we look very girly. Many people who don't know about MMA confuse it with Karate and Tae Kwon Do, which really annoys me.
L: A lot of guys don't believe me. I have actually gotten a lot of my co-workers and guy friends into watching MMA fights, it's pretty cool.

IWF: Who are your all time favorite fighters? Favorite MMA fight?
J: I like GSP, Rampage, Shogun, BJ Penn, Rich Franklin, Diego Sanchez, Spencer Fisher, and Cro Cop. Clay Guida has also really impressed me in his last fight against Tyson Griffin. My favorite MMA fight is a somewhat recent one when GSP beat Matt Hughes. I lost my voice from screaming so hard. A close second would have to be when Rampage beat Liddell for the second time.
L: Liddell, GSP, Cro Cop, Michael Bisping, Franklin, Rampage and Gina Carano. A few are my favorite fights are Forrest Griffin vs. Tito Ortiz, Stephen Bonnar vs. Forrest Griffin, Rich Franklin vs. Nate Quarry, and the Tito Vs. Ken Shamrock trilogy.

IWF: Outside of training and watching MMA, what are some of your other
hobbies/interests?
J: I love watching Rugby, Cricket, and Soccer. I'm a huge rugby fan. In my free time I like to read, play the piano, play tennis, and attempt to surf (that is when I'm not falling off the board).
L: I love scuba diving, traveling, boating, hand gun shooting, water sports, and I am attempting to learn how to play golf, but I think it is too mellow for me.

IWF: Taking a look around IrishWhipFighting.com, what do you think of the site?
J: I really like it! It’s easy to navigate around.
L: Great site. It's very user friendly and has lots of cool info. I like the tabs at the top as it makes it easy for me to find what I am looking for.

You can check out these girls at their Myspace and at MMAgirls.net!

Irish Whip Fighting Exclusive: Jon Fitch Interview

IrishWhipFighting.com had a chance to speak to UFC Welterweight Jon Fitch. Fitch is quickly climbing up the welterweight ranks and has had much success in the UFC thus far. See what Fitch has to say about his experiences as a fighter and his upcoming fight against Diego Sanchez at UFC 76 on September 22.

Hey Jon, thanks for taking the time to take this interview. We here at Irish Whip Fighting are huge fans and cannot thank you enough for your support! Irish Whip Fighting would also like to congratulate you for your dominating performance at UFN 10 and racking up another jaw-dropping victory over Roan Carneiro.

General...
Masson Liang: What influenced you to start a career in mixed martial arts?
Jon Fitch: My assistant coach at Purdue University, Tom Erikson, was fighting in Pride at the time. He would have Gary Goodridge and Mark Coleman come into town and help him train. It looked like fun so I would get involved and help out. I’ve been hooked ever since.

ML: Who are your biggest influences/heroes in MMA today?
JF: My trainers and team mates.

ML: Who has been your toughest opponent thus far and what do you consider the biggest/best win of your nearly flawless record?
JF: Kinyuoshi Hironaka was one of the toughest guys I’ve fought. He seemed like nothing I did to him hurt him. Carneiro was a difficult fight because of his size and strength.

UFC...
ML: Climbing up quickly in the rankings among top fighters in the welterweight division (i.e. GSP, Matt Hughes, Matt Serra, Karo Parisyan), whom do you look forward to fighting the most in the near future?
JF: All of them. I want to fight all of the best fighters in the world. I’m not one of those fighters that want to be famous and have a title but not really ever fight the best competition. I would rather never be heard of and beat all the best guys. At the end of the day I only care about how I feel about myself.

ML: You said you felt "demoted" for not being featured on the main cards of the UFC events, how does it feel to finally be bumped into UFC 76's main card?
JF: It’s great because it allows me to get the fights I want. Many of the top fighters didn’t want to fight me because no one had ever heard of me. Now they won’t have a choice but to take the fights with me.

ML: After Diego Sanchez's first loss to the hands of Josh Koscheck at UFC 69, did you spot any weaknesses of Diego's that you're prepared to capitalize on at UFC 76?
JF: I have been studying Diego, and many other top fighters, for a long time now and have game plans for most of them already. Everyone has weaknesses in their game; it’s just a matter of exploiting them.

ML: Have you taken any drastic changes in your training regimen in preparation for Diego Sanchez? Has training gone fairly smoothly and injury free thus far?
JF: I have a great team and system for my training. I have no reason to make major changes to it. I have been working with some very good south paws and wrestlers to help me prepare specifically for Diego.

ML: Rumors surfacing in June claimed that you were originally set to face Karo Parisyan at UFC 76. With Sanchez as your newly confirmed opponent for UFC 76, is a match-up against Karo Parisyan still in the works for the near future?
JF: Like I said before, I want to fight all the best fighters. I think that Karo is one of the best, so he is still definitely on the list of guys I want to fight someday.

ML: Having Wilson Gouveia now in the UFC, can Fitch fans look forward to you avenging that loss in a rematch anytime soon?
JF: Not very likely. Wilson has gotten much bigger since our fight and I have gotten much smaller. I don’t see this fight ever happening. I actually owe a big thanks to Wilson. If he wouldn’t have knocked me out that night I might not have started on the path I am on today.

ML: Not to put you on the spot or anything, but who are you rooting for in the Couture-Gonzaga fight for UFC 74 and the Jackson-Henderson fight for UFC 75?
JF: I don’t really root for anyone to win fights other than team mates. I just want to see great fights and maybe some techniques that I might not have seen before.

Training...
ML: Recently returning from Japan, how were your experiences over there and did you get a chance to train at all or was it just a good ol' vacation?
JF: It was a great experience. I got to train with Kastsuhiko Nagata, who I went there to corner at K-1 Heros. I also got to train with former opponent Hironaka. I also got to meet and hang out with Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto, which was a crazy experience. Kid is as famous in Tokyo as Shaq is in Miami.

ML: Have you trained at camps anywhere outside of the U.S.? If not, is there any place you have your eyes set on to go train in the future?
JF: I got to visit a few gyms on Japan and it is possible that I would go and train for a short time at the Killer Bee's gym. For the most part though I feel that my gym, the American Kickboxing Academy, is one of the best gyms in the world and there is no reason to train anywhere else.

ML: Is there anyone out there that you'd absolutely love to train with?
JF: I would love to train with Aoki, he ground game is amazing and I think it would be a good experience to roll with him.

Misc...
ML: Taking a quick peek around Irish Whip Fighting, what do you think of the site?
JF: I think it has a good look, but could use much more news about me. hehehe.

ML: Are there any last words you'd like to say to the hardcore Fitch fans out there? Sponsors to thank?
JF: I would like to thank Toe2Toe.tv and jigsaw inc. Also check out my website at fitchfighter.com

We at the Irish Whip Fighting team cannot thank you enough for taking the time for doing this interview and we all wish you the best of luck against Diego Sanchez at UFC 76 on Sept. 22 and look forward to seeing you add another loss to his record!

The Lianger

Irish Whip Fighting Exclusive: Team Quest Interview

On the day the IFL announced their fight card for their 2007 Grand Prix (which consists of the four top fighters in each weight division) I had the unique opportunity to sit down with rising MMA star Matt “Suave” Horwich. With victories over the likes of Jason McDonald, Vernon White and Josh Burkman, he is one of the most dangerous and well rounded middleweights fighting today. Drawing strength from his deep spiritual faith he has unmatched focus determination that has helped him realize his dream of becoming a world class fighter. Coming off of a stunning KO via a “cro-cop” like high kick he shared with me his thoughts on winning the IFL GP and his goal to become the first ever IFL middleweight champion as well as becoming the first Rock/MMA superstar.By Doug MacEwan


Doug: “What initially attracted you to Mixed Martial Arts and how did you get your start?”
Matt: “Like a lot of young kids growing up I was always watching Bruce Lee movies and got involved in traditional Martial Arts at a young age. After watching Royce Gracie dominate the first few UFC’s, I saved up as much money as I could and moved to northern California to train with him for five hours a day five days a week for a month straight. It was an amazing experience for a sixteen year old and that helped me build the foundation for my submission skills.”

D: “That’s really impressive….so how did you find team Quest?”
M: “Even though I took some time off from training to pursue other interests like playing the guitar and exploring my musical side I was still watching all the UFC events I could and saw Randy Couture dominating much like Royce did during his first reign as the HW champ. At this point in my life I was traveling around and the opportunity presented itself for me to travel up north to begin training with Randy at Team Quest.

D: “What was it like training with all of the great fighters at Team Quest and what makes Team Quest arguably the best MMA training facility in the world?”
M: “Having the opportunity to train with the best MW fighters in the world in Matt Lindland and Dan Henderson along with other world class fighters like Ed Herman Nate Quarry and Chris Leben, you are being challenged by the best every day you come to the gym. Both Henderson and Lindland are two of the best wrestlers in the history of our sport and they helped me develop an excellent ground game. The environment is exactly what you need to push yourself to become a champion and you are constantly pushed every day to be the best. The work ethic we all have at TQ as well as the whole atmosphere here could not be better. I have to give a lot of credit to Matt Lindland who is like a father figure to many of the fighters and works really hard to promote us and get our names out there on top of training us to become the best. He had helped me so much over the course of my career and it amazes me how he is able to dedicate so much energy into helping all of us on top of the work he needs to devote to his own career. We also believe in cross training with other gyms and I have had the chance to train with BJ Penn, Chuck Liddell and many other top fighters and gyms.”

D: “What has your experience with the IFL been like and what are your thoughts on the merger between the UFC and PRIDE fc?”
M: “First of all I can’t say enough great things about the IFL. They treat their fighters extremely well and pay us a monthly salary to help us afford to train full time on top of what they pay us per fight. It ends up being much more than the UFC can offer unless you are one of the really big names. I am really excited about the upcoming GP and I think that the IFL has a great business plan and will continue to grow and become more successful. As far as the merger with PRIDE and UFC there are two ways to look at it. On one hand you now have the dream match ups like Shogun vs Liddell and the fans will get to see match ups they only dreamed about in the past. On the other hand this makes the UFC more powerful and without that competition they could end up paying the fighters less than they would have if they had PRIDE bidding against them for talent.”

D: “If you could fight anyone in the world who would it be?”
M: “I would love an opportunity to fight Anderson Silva because in order to be the best you have to fight the best. I have tremendous respect for him as a fighter and as a person and it would be an honor to test my skills against him.”

D: “How do you stay focused with all of the distraction and temptation that has gotten the best of many great talents in the past. I am also curious to hear your thoughts on the recent string of positive steroids tests that have plagued MMA”
M: “I put a lot of faith in god and I find it easy to make the choices that will put me in the best position to be successful. I owe it to myself and the people around me that I care about to stay focused and diet and train the right way. As far as steroids it is unfortunate that some people try to take short cuts and sacrifice the integrity of the sport and themselves. I can only control my own actions so there is not much I can do other than set a positive example”

D: “Give us your dream match ups for every weight class.”
M: “ That’s tough but here are the fights I am dying to see: HW-Fedor vs Gonzaga, LHW-Shogun vs Liddell, MW-Lindland or Henderson vs A. Silva WW- BJ Penn vs St. Pierre 2”

D: “Thank you for your time and giving www.irishwhipfighting.com and all the fans a glimpse into the world of Matt Horwich. The last thing I want to know is what your goals for the future are and how your fans can get in contact with you.”
M: “Thank you for your visit. My goal is to continue to fight hard and to win the IFL Middleweight belt. I would also like to continue to develop my musical talent and purchase land to build a house where I can spend time with my friends and loved ones. My fans can reach me on my myspace account under the screen name ‘Wildheart' or look me up by my name Matthew Horwich.”