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Leeroy Barnes: I might slip over on Scott Rogan's fake tan
18 Jul 2010
By Jamie Kennedy
MMA Hit Pit had a chance to sit down and speak to Wolfslair fighter Leeroy Barnes and ask him some questions.
Hi Leeroy, thanks for taking the time to chat to MMA Hit Pit. Since your recent move to Welterweight you've had a lot of success, you finished your most recent fight in, impressive fashion: What is it about the Weight class that suits you better?
"Not killing myself and dieting to near death to make the weight (laughs) I'm a natural welterweight and probably one of the bigger fighters in the weight class, trying to make light weight was a serious error of judgement, at welter I feel I can use my full physical attributes of strength speed and stamina to a greater advantage, I have a lot more confidence in My abilities at the weight class."
Has the change in weight class lead to a whole different outlook on training?
"Completely when I was at lightweight My training coming up to fights was horrible, I was always so weak and tired, picking up niggling injuries. Now I'm at my preferred weight class I don't have to worry about the diet and where My weight is at so much, I can just concentrate on working hard and I can now work hard right up to to a fight, meaning Instead of being weak and depleted, I'm in peak shape come fight night"
You train at the famous "wolfslair", with a plethora of world class talent, but who would you say has had the biggest influence on your career?
"There isn't one particular person that has had a single huge influence on My career from the Wolfslair, but a few for different reasons, the whole team are an inspiration to Me for many reasons, especially the likes of my coaches like Mario Sukata and Dave jackson, for always believing in me and working with me day after day, Mike Bisping for what he has achieved, giving up work and chancing his hand at a full time career with a family to support, and now he can provide them a great life.. he went out and got it and is now at the top of his game, Tom Blackledge for all his words of advice and finally getting his break in the UFC after all the ups and downs and set backs in his career, and never giving up, and most recently my private boxing coach Alan Levene is having a great influence on my career in many ways. Although he isn't at the Wolfslair any more I couldn't not mention Paul Kelly, when I first joined the gym he took me under his wing and would do anything for me, he is just another one of the lads and training with him day in and day out and seeing him make it was an honour and a true inspiration for me."
You're mainly a stand up fighter, for those not to familiar with you what could they expect from a Leeroy Barnes fight?
"Violence, (laughs) I always come to fight, and I am always fit so I like to push the pace and use my natural physical attributes to my advantage, I'm very fast strong and explosive, so my fights are always action packed I come forward and I push the action, I usually like to get a big take down in there some where as well."
Is there any particular fighter you try to base your style on?
"Not at all, I have a lot of fighters I admire but I don't base my style on anybody, I've had a lot more success since I've gone out and just tried to be myself, do what I do in the gym, I've never been told I fight like a certain person but in my head I'm like GSP (laughs)"
Now you're known as a joker but you're not known as a "trash talker" but there has been some feisty words between you and Scott Rogan, how did that come about?
"It came about on an internet forum after Rogan had a pull out for a fight and was giving it the big cheese about how nobody would dare stand with him and he couldn't find an opponent, I offered to step in and stand with him, from there it all got a bit heated and a few words were exchanged, well I say words he can't really spell so his were very hard to read he just said mug a lot and told everybody how "ard" he was."
What threat would he bring to you in the Cage?
"Bad breath and the possibility of slipping over on his fake tan as it runs under the hot lights, he may also call me a mug!! Seriously though a fight is a fight and every fight is dangerous when you have another man in there intent on hurting you... he is a game lad but that's about all he has."
Do you set yourself any particular goals each year?
"No particular goals, this year I just set Myself the goal of improving in every single area and getting over the mental demons that I had holding me back, I have these under wraps now and I'm 100% focused on my career."
Ok well thanks for taking the time to talk with MMA Hit Pit, we wish you well in the future, I suppose all that's left to ask is: What can you expect from Leeroy Barnes in the future? and is there anyone you want to give a shout out too?
"Thank you. You can expect a lot... keep an eye on me over the following months, I'm going to be putting on some serious performances, keep up to date with me at www.facebook.com/leeroymma. Could I just say a big thank you to everybody that supports and believes in Me, My team mates and coaches, My girlfriend for putting up with Me and last but not least My sponsors who enable me to do what I do, www.iamsenshi.com, www.fullmount.co.uk, www.caged-steel.com, www.jst-nutrition.com, www.fightshop.com, and www.hewittbros.com."
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