Matt Riddle

Matt Riddle Interview

 

Hi Matt,

Thank you for taking the time to sit down with MMABAY and answer a few of our questions:

Mmabay - Could you tell us about the selection process for the house and what you had to go through to make the original 32?

Matt - For a lot of people with larger records and that are known that will get hand selected for me I had to do multiple tryouts in N.J. and Vegas I had to go through a lot more than guys like Tim or C.B.

Mmabay - What was going through your head when you found out on the first day at the training centre that you would have to fight to actually get into the house?

Matt - Wanted to be the first fight anyways so it worked perfect for me plus that rumour was going around.

Mmabay - You certainly made your mark with one of the best knockouts in UFC history, can you tell us from your point of view what happened, how badly your opponent was hurt and how quickly he recovered?

Matt - That knockout was pretty bad ass what happened was Dan was really tired going in to the second and his mouth was open I hit him as hard as I could and it worked, also Dan was knocked out for a good 25 before waking up and I broke his jaw in three spots and he also had memory loss.

Mmabay - You lost via arm bar on the show to semi finalist Tim Credeur, if you got a rematch in the UFC, what would you do differently this time?

Matt - I would stand and would knock him out.

Mmabay - How much did you take away from the show after being coached for a number of weeks by Rampage and Juanito, even though Rampage confessed to not being much of a coach?

Matt - Learned a lot of striking and mma but a lack of conditioning kinda hurt are team.

Mmabay - You looked very impressive and particularly strong during your TUF7 finale win over Dante, can you tell us how you have changed your training and how much more of your time are you dedicating to the sport?

Matt - I'm at AZC and training with real fighters that are at the same level as myself that’s the big thing I changed of course I work out more to.

Mmabay - A lot of the fighters, when finishing the “Ultimate Fighter” series decide to change their weight class, is this something you will be considering and why?

Matt - It's possible and I might but for now I'm happy at 185, but if I did drop I would be one of the biggest 170 in the UFC.

Mmabay - How has your life changed since doing the show, are you recognised when you go out, ect?

Matt - Yes my life has changed a lot and for the better all I can say is ladies its outta control and I do get recognized.

Mmabay - Do you know what the UFC’s plans are for you in terms of length of contract, if they want you to fight again this year, ect?

Matt - I can't talk about it but I’m very secure in my position right now.

Mmabay - Finally, with UFC 86 having just past us by, what was your prediction for the main event before that weekend?

Matt - Rampage winning and than getting robbed by the judges did I call it?

Mmabay - Thanks again Matt.

(An exclusive interview for mmabay.co.uk)