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 Hello folks Merlin here, and today I'm going to be presenting a Countdown to the highly hyped 145lb Title at Fallen Champions XXII! Top P4P fighter Michak Ropuia and the #8 P4P fighter "Irish"Mike OMalley will be squaring off, and its one of the highest Hyped fights in org history. So lets get started....
First up we went to Facebreaker Academy, where Champion Michak Ropuia had just finished a BJJ Sparring Session with training partner Rickson Gracie. Thanks for taking the time to talk with me for a minute, hows the training camp going?
Ropuia-"Training is going really well"
Without a doubt you have some of the smoothest BJJ in the org, do you find yourself trying to get even better at grappling or improve other parts of your game?
Ropuia-"Yes, i'm trying to get better in my BJJ. But the main focus is on stand up skills right now and it will be for quite some time. i'm not getting any younger so i have to train extra-harder"
After you had fought and lost twice to him how satisfying was it to go into Fallen Champions XVI and beat Karlic Tiberous for the Title?
Ropuia-"well, it was quite satisfying. He is a tough fighter, we started fighting at the same age with very similar style, enter QFC tournament faced each other at the Final and here at Fallen Champions my first fight was against him. Yes, i know i loss the first two fights, but everytime i step in the cage/ring regardless of the outcome i always believe i have a chance of winning and it was same with him. To finally beat him with the title on the line...i guess it couldn't get any better"
Satuarday Night you are going into your second Title Defense, and one of the biggest fights in Fallen Champions history. Are you feeling any added pressure?
Ropuia-"First of all, i'm very thrilled to be the other guy to put on one of the biggest fight in Fallen Champions. Yes, the pressure is there but i tend not to feel it. :) i'm just gonna walk out there do what i do best and have fun"
I'm sure you have been studying alot of your opponent's fights, and have you seen any weakenesses in Mike OMalley's game?
Ropuia-"We've all got weakness, but I have yet to find one"
Is there any bad blood between the two of you going into this match up?
Ropuia-"Not Really!"
Is there anything else you would like to add before we go?
Ropuia-"Yes, thanks to King Arthur for signing me here (Fallen Champion) and i wanna say this to all the late bloomer or others who started late like me, as you can see i dont have a monster primary or secondary or physical skills and with all the young super talented fighter out there, i'm still able to climb up and be one of the no.1 fighter in Fallen Champions so that should tell something. It doesnt matter if you get beat down be sure to get back up and fight again. Cheers!!"
Next I found myself walking up to a nice home in a suberb just outside of Los Angeles, "Irish" Mike OMalley came out to greet me and invited me. We went in and set at the table, and after a little bit of small talk we got the interview underway....
How does it feel to be competing for your first Championship?
OMalley-"I FEEL HONORED TO BE FIGHTING FOR THE BELT. NOT MANY FIGHTERS GET THIS CHANCE. SO I WANT TO MAKE THE BEST OF IT. I FEEL THE HARD WORK THAT MY TEAM AND I HAVE PUT INTO THIS PASSION OF FIGHTING HAS LEAD US TO THIS CHANCE. I KNOW WE ARE GOING TO MAKE THE BEST OF IT. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT MOMENT OF WALKING INTO THE RING , KNOWING I DESERVE TO FIGHT FOR THE BELT. AND THE FEELING AFTER THE FIGHT IS OVER, ONCE THAT BELT IS PLACED AROUND MY WAIST, THAT I DESERVE TO BE CALLED THE CHAMP"
How you changed your training at all?
OMalley-"TO BE HONEST, NOT REALLY. I HUNGER TO LEARN NEW THINGS. I CAME INTO THIS SPORT JUST KNOWING HOW TO SCRAP. BUT WITH GREAT COACHES, NOT ONLY HAVE I HONED MY SKILLS IN WRESTLING AND BOXING, I'VE GROWN A DESIRE TO LEARN JUI-JITSU AND MUAY THAI. IF ANYTHING I FEEL MICHAK HAS TO CHANGE AND PREPARE FOR SOMEONE AS DANGEROUS AS ME"
You came into Fallen Champions with a mediocre 2-3 record, and have since went on a 4-0 tear. What caused this amazing turnaround?
OMalley-" HONESTLY I THINK ITS BEING MORE INTELLIGENT IN MY TRAINING AND MY FIGHTING. WHEN I FIRST STARTED I WAS STILL LEARNING. I WANTED TO JUST GO IN AND FINISH THE FIGHT AS QUICK AS POSSIBLE WITH RECKLESS ABANDONEMENT. NOW I FEEL I PICK MY TIMING BETTER. I READ MY OPPONENTS BETTER. I HAVE A SMARTER OUTLOOK ON HOW I USE MY TALENTS IN THE RING. I BELIEVE ITS PROVEN TO WORK WELL AFTER PUTTING AWAY MY LAST FOUR OPPONENTS"
Michak Ropuia has some of the best BJJ in the org, do you feel like your brown belt is on par with his? Could we possibly see you take the fight to the ground to prove it?
OMalley-" I RESPECT HIS GROUND GAME. I'M NOT GOING TO LIE. HE IS GOOD. BUT I AM NOT SCARED TO GO TO THE GROUND. IT WOULD BE GREAT TO SHOW EVERYONE IN THE AUDIENCE SOMEONE KNOWN TO SUBMIT OTHER GUYS BE SUBMITTED HIMSELF. IT WILL ALSO BE GREAT TO KNOCK HIM OUT WITH MY FISTS. JUST SAYING"
This has been some great stuff Mike, is there anything else that you would like to add before I have to leave?
OMalley-"KNOW THAT COME FIGHT NIGHT, I WILL BE COMING TO GET WHAT IS MINE. I WILL BE WALKING AS THE NEW CHAMP. THANK YOU FALLEN CHAMPION FOR A WONDERFUL HOME AND THANKS TO ALL THE FANS. I WILL DO MY BEST TO GIVE YOU THE FIGHT YOU DESERVE"
There you have it folks, both of these two great fighters will be looking to have a great showing! I personally cannot wait for this one!
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