TUF: LIVE; fighters discuss fighting each other, records, morale and mental toughness
The UFC and FX hosted a media conference call with four of this season’s The Ultimate Fighter® Live semifinalists on Wednesday, May 16, 2012: Vince Pichel (Team Cruz) vs. Chris Saunders (Team Faber) and Al Iaquinta (Team Faber) vs. Andy Ogle (Team Faber).
Al Iaquinta and Andy Ogle were asked what it was like having to fight another team mate. Said Iaquinta: “He knows my style and I know his style, fighting a teammate isn’t too different. Ogle concurred: “I would never hold back in practice. The main part of practice is to get caught in sticky situations and develop from . You get caught in sticky situations in training so you never get put in that position when you’re in the fight.”
Iaquinta was then asked about his family’s outlook on his fight career: “I don’t think it was so much that my parents didn’t want me to get involved in MMA, they just saw it as very dangerous and wanted me to go to school as well. They’ve supported me but they wanted me to do school. I think they see now that I can make a living out of it and there are a lot of options and this sport is growing and blowing up. They have definitely been very supportive of me and what I do.”
When asked about his flawless MMA record (8-0), Vince Pichel answered: “My opponents don’t take me lightly, but they are looking at me like I am looking at them. I did finish everyone but I look at every guy like they are the toughest opponent I have ever faced. My opponents know I am dangerous but you can’t get overconfident or that will mess with your head.”
Lowkick.com next asked Pinchel about Coach Dominick Cruz‘s injury and if this has affected morale or training in any way on the part of Team Cruz. Pichel responded: “It sucks and we are all kind of bummed that Dom got injured and he’s not fighting Faber but it happens. It is part of the game. It is just as much a part of fighting as winning or losing is. It did not slow us down or bother us that much. We are moving ahead with it.”
Lowkick.com asked Andy Ogle about a comment made last week about him being the most mentally tough member in the house and where that came from. Ogle said: “I have been watching The Ultimate Fighter from the start of my career. I never thought that I was going to be here. It was a just dream. I saw the light at the end of the tunnel, but it was just a pinhole. Now it is getting bigger and bigger and I can almost get my hand in and grab it. It is going to take a hell of a lot of skill in this contest and a hell of a lot of will to see who wants it the most. This season is twice the length of the previous seasons and it comes down to the mental game, who wants it more. The way I see it, I am representing my country and I am wearing my country’s flag with pride. The emotional side, that’s just me. I’ve got big highs and big lows and I’ve got a big heart. That’s who I am and this whole thing means so much to me.”
Dana White will announce Urijah Faber‘s next opponent on this Friday’s episode of The Ultimate Fighter Live.
