Nick Osipczak

 

Nick Osipczak Interview

Hi Nick,

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

MMABay - Firstly, we’re fast approaching your second official UFC appearance at UFC 105 in Manchester; how has your camp been and are you ready for a war on the 14th of November?

Osipczak - Camp has gone close to perfect, I’m definitely ready, can’t wait!

MMABay - It seems like you’ve really been mixing it up with your training for this fight, jumping between London, Leicester Shootfighters and of course Team Roughhouse in Nottingham. Are you always this mobile with your training? How important do you think it is to keep things fresh?

Osipczak - I’ve always believed u need to train with the best to be the best, and think u can find yourself plateauing if u stick around at one place and train with the same people too long.

MMABay - A lot of the guys you’ve trained with recently have fights coming up: Yourself, Dan Hardy, Andre Winner and Ross Pearson are fighting at UFC 105, Jim Wallhead is fighting Che Mills shortly and Dean Amasinger just won his fight at Ultimate Challenge UK. Has the team spirit benefited you with your training, especially with Dean picking up the win?

Osipczak - Definitely, its like being on TUF again when your all trying to peak at the same time! It helps push us all further. Spirits are high at the rough house.

MMABay - Your opponent, Matt Riddle poses a very different challenge to your last opponent Frank Lester. As a former Division 1 wrestler he possesses a unique set of credentials. Will you be looking to engage him on the ground, or will it be a case of getting back up as quickly as possible?

Osipczak - I believe in my submission abilities so will be looking to finish him from any position.

MMABay - Matt has been less than kind with some of his comments about yourself and UK fighters in general in the run up to this fight. Specifically he said in an interview with MMAWeekly: “I wouldn’t be surprised if I punched him four times and took him down even if he didn’t hit me. Just because I know where I’m really strong and I know where I can smash him out.” Do you get the impression that he’s overlooking you?

Osipczak - Yes, as many people do! I suppose it’s because I don’t look very intimidating, but that’s fine by me.

MMABay - Matt has also made some comments to the effect that TUF 9 was a set up to make the UK guys look good. Do you think it’s just sour grapes because Team USA lost?

Osipczak - I couldn’t say, but I think we definitely beat them fair and square!

MMABay - When you finally lock horns on the 14th, there’s no doubt that your going to be the crowd favourite. Do you think having 14,000 screaming Brits in your corner will have a bearing on the fight?

Osipczak - I hope so! But probably not

MMABay - You have a background in traditional martial arts: Do you see traditional styles making a comeback in MMA? With so many guys uniformly training boxing, wrestling and jiu-jitsu, does having that traditional background add an extra dimension to you game?

Osipczak - I think the “hitting, and not getting hit” concept and skills will come into play more.

MMABay - Finally, you’re apparently something of a professional gambler…who’s your money on for the main event between Randy Couture and Brandon Vera?

Osipczak - Retired professional gambler! So hard to predict Randy's fights, but I do believe Brandon has the talent to get the W, but has proven to be quite inconsistent in his performances, so this is a fight I will be staying away from!

MMABay - Are there any sponsors you'd like to mention?

Osipczak - slicknickmma.com , Hayabusa, maximuscle, cherryactive

(An exclusive interview for MMABay.co.uk)

 

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