|
|
|
|
Tim Boetsch: I belong in that top tier of fighters
16 Jul 2010
By Ben Cartlidge
MMA Hit Pit caught up with Tim “The Barbarian” Boetsch recently to chat about his upcoming fight with Thiago Silva at UFC 117, Jeet Kune Do and a rematch with Vladimir Matyushenko.
Your links with Jeet Kune Do have been documented over the years, but how did you first become involved with it?
I watched my first Bruce Lee movie when I was 11. I was fascinated by his hand speed and thought it was cool that he could beat up 12 guys at one time. So my best friend and I went in together and bought Tao of Jeet Kune Do and started doing everything the book described. i was already wrestling at that time and had a solid base to start my training from.
What advantages do you think your Jeet Kune Do striking background gives you over the more common Muay Thai strikers in modern MMA?
It is a more creative style that allows for more "non-traditional" types of strikes. I have several kicks and punches in my arsenal that you wouldn't be taught in a muay thai gym.
Tim, it’s been over 12 months since we saw you last fight in the UFC. How has your training changed in that time?
Getting cut from the UFC was a huge wake up call for me. I had been doing 90% of my training in my garage up to that point so I knew I had to make a change. I started training at AMC in Kirkland with Matt Hume. I have seen huge improvements and have learned a whole new way of doing things in the Octagon.
I am training to be able to fight more aggressively in all positions of the fight. I want to break my opponent mentally before I finish them off.
It’s clear whatever changes that you have made have worked as you’ve picked up 3 impressive wins in a row. How did you adjust to fighting on smaller shows?
I didn't adjust at all. I just thought and trained like every fight I had was the most important fight of my life (because it was) because I knew I had to string a bunch of wins together to get back to the big show.
It’s interesting to see Vladimir Matyushenko making some headway in the UFC, would that be a rematch that interests you?
Absolutely, I would love to redeem myself from that decision that went his way.
Your last fight in the UFC saw you drop a decision to Jason Brilz in what looked like a very frustrating encounter. What are your memories of that fight?
I was very disappointed in how I performed that night. Mentally something was off. I had trained to fight much harder then what I did against Brilz. I definitely have corrected the issues and am more focused and have a better understanding of the mental side of the fight game now.
The bookmakers will surely have you as an underdog in this fight, just like they did when you fought David Heath, do you feel you perform well in the role of the underdog?
I absolutely love the position I am in right now. I fully intend to surprise a lot of people on August 7th.
It’s a very bold move to come back to the UFC to fight a seasoned fighter like Thiago Silva, what attracted you to take this fight?
I want to fight and beat the top guys in the world. This is the perfect opportunity to show everyone in MMA that I belong in that top tier of fighters.
What areas do you see yourself having an advantage over Thiago?
Striking, Wrestling, submission grappling, Heart, Will to win, Cardio. I’ve got a lot of surprises for him on August 7th.
Thanks very much for your time today, All I’ve got left to ask is just what does the future hold for Tim Boetsch?
A big shiny belt!!!!
|
|
|
|