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James Doolan talks Bushido Challenge title fight and Leigh Remedios
03 Mar 2010
By Del Hillan
Bushido Challenge 2: A New Dawn is only a few weeks away with a fantastic card of fights lined up. Travelling down from Glasgow with 2 other members of the Dinky Ninja Fight Team will be MMA Hit Pit blogger James Doolan who takes on Artemij Sitenkov for the Bushido Challenge Bantamweight Title. We caught up with him during his training to ask him a few questions.
Hey James how is training going for the fight?
Hi mate, training is going well, I'm getting into the business end of training for the next few weeks, I'm training 6 days a week, twice a day on three of the days and three times a day on the other three. I'm pretty much using the same programme I used for the 4 fights I had last year conditioning sessions separate from skill sessions and a lot of sparring, obviously with one or two things changed due to the speciality of the opponent I'm facing on April 3rd.
What do you know about your opponent Artemij Sitenkov?
I've watched some of his fights, very talented on the ground, really dangerous off his back and with leg and foot locks. Think is record is 10-4 as a pro with some big wins over the likes of David Lajenas twice, and recently over Steve McCombe.He is also a European No-gi submission wrestling champion so obviously the ground is where he wants me. I still haven't seen his fight with Steve McCombe, I heard from my team mates who watched it that Artemij basically got bashed on the feet and couldn't take Steve down, Jumped guard a few times and eventually pulled off a sweet armbar. I've seen in his other fights he is happy to take punishment, hang in there and get the submission. I think he is currently ranked number 5 in Europe and number 19 in the sherdog bantamweight rankings, its a big fight for both of us.
What can we expect to see from you in this fight?
I'm preparing to finish the fight regardless of where it goes. I've submitted as many guys as I've knocked out so I'll be ready. I know if I make a mistake or lose concentration for a split second Artemij will break something off me so I'll be cool, calm and composed and be ready to exploit anything he gives me. I'm expecting one of my hardest fights to date and Artemij should be expecting the same. I expect to see two guys at the top of their game put their skills sets and their wills against each other, both wanting the win and doing everything in their power to get the win.
There has been some talk recently about a possible match up between yourself and Leigh Remedios, does this fight interest you at all and how would you see it going??
I last fought on a show in Glasgow in October and the match maker for the show went through the entire European rankings trying to get me a fight. I was matched with everyone at some point, and fight after fight for one reason or another they fell through. I know Leigh had been contacted and said he was interested but the timing wasn't right. Earlier this year I was contacted by the guys at the Knuckleup promotion asking if I wanted to fight on their February show. I agreed not just because it was Leigh, more because I was looking to get some fights in early this year. I'm not sure what happened but the fight never went ahead and Leigh ended up fighting Paddy Doherty. Fighting him does interest me. He was a guy I looked up to when I started getting in to MMA. He is obviously one of the better fighters in Europe so I'd like to fight him.That's nothing personal, I want to fight all the top guys at my weight.That's what fighters do, or should do. In regards to how I see a fight between me and Leigh panning out, that would be interesting, I'm not going to disrespect him by saying I'd knock him out or submit him, it would be a hard fight for both of us and if it happens then great, if it doesn't then I'm not going to lose any sleep over it, there are plenty more fights out there for both of us.
Is there any other fights out there that interest you?
Any the top guys in Europe at my weight, I'd love to go back and fight in Japan again or fight in the states. I just want to fight good guys until I find what kind of level I'm actually at. In 16 pro fights I've been to the second round twice, the last four against recognised fighters, two of them unbeaten. I had four wins in a combined time of around 9 minutes. I want guys that are going to put me in places in a fight I've not been before so I can find out where I am exactly in terms of ability and level.
What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2010?
My goals for 2010 are to get at least 4 fights in and 4 good performances. Short term picking up the Bushido Challenge Bantamweight title obviously. I'd like to defend my OMMAC belt if Chris Zorbra can get me matched. Ending the year with two of the most prestigious belts in European MMA in my cupboard. Away from my fights its going to be a big year for the dinky ninjas in general and in particular my girl Joanne is fighting on the Queens birthday show in Thailand, hoping to add the WPMF title to her IKF European thai boxing title.
To keep up to date with James' training make sure you check out his official blog on MMA Hit Pit HERE
Tickets are still available for Bushido Challenge 2: A New Dawn. CLICK HERE for ticket info
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