Matt Mitrione doesn’t get nervous – here to win TUF 10

Spike TV has begun releasing interviews from TUF 10 contestants leading up to their September 17^th premiere.  Part of Matt Mitrione’s interview is dictated below.  Click here to see the video. 

“When I was growing up, I fought all the time.  I probably fought every weekend growing up.  So, I’m near and dear to fighting.  I know a lot about it. I’ve been beat up plenty and I’ve won plenty.”

“Before I went to go play college football I actually had 3 pro fights at a kickboxing tournament because it’s something I’ve always wanted to do.  So, I was fighting when I was 17 years old in tournaments.

“I truly understand functional power [and] explosiveness.  How to use my hips.  How to use my body.  How to throw my hands efficiently and effectively.  How to set up dummy punches. 

“I learned all of that from being a pass rusher.  That’s what I was when I was in the NFL.  So, everything I know is about functional aggressiveness and the ability to set my moves and my thoughts up ahead of time.  It’s a chess match.

“I don’t get nervous.  Nervous is for people who are unsure of their abilities.  Once you’re nervous, it means you’re going to fail.  I don’t ever get nervous.

“Being on the show doesn’t mean shit.  I’ve got to win.”

Matt Veach to fight at UFC 102 in Portland

Undefeated lightweight Matt Veach of the H.I.T. Squad will make his second appearance in the UFC when he takes on Evan Dunham, who is also undefeated, at UFC 102 on August 29 in Portland, Oregon.

UFC 102 is currently slated to be headlined by a bout between former UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion Randy Couture taking on former PRIDE and interim UFC heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. Additional matchups expected include Chris Leben vs. Jake Rosholt, Wilson Gouveia vs. Chael Sonnen, and Matt Hamill vs. Brandon Vera.  See more details here.

Dunham (8-0), 27, is a native of Eugene, Oregon, and splits his time between there and Las Vegas, where he trains at Xtreme Couture.

Veach, who trains at the H.I.T. Squad,  fought for CCCW last November and improved to 10-0 with a 1st round submission.  He then won via 1st rd TKO in a very exciting, back and forth fight at UFC Fight Night which made it on TV despite being on the undercard.  Now 11-0, Veach will once again have an opportunity to show his skills on the biggest stage MMA has to offer.  We wish Matt the best!

Interview with Matt Veach – by Aroundtheoctagon.com

http://www.aroundtheoctagon.com/?p=898

What have you been up to the fight with Matt Grice at UFC Fight Night 17?

I came back home. I’ve been lifting weights and taking it easy. I’m heading back to the gym on Monday.

I’m sure Matt Hughes will put it to you in the gym.

Yeah, he’s got a fight coming up with Matt Serra and they are hoping to put me on the card too. We can train and get after each other. I’ve got three fights left on my contract.

How did you wind up taking that fight on such short notice?

I got called nine days before it and they said they needed a fill-in. They told me it didn’t matter if you win or lose just go out there and put on a good performance.

Did Matt Hughes help you get your foot in the door?

No, actually it was Marc Fiore. It kind of happened on it’s own.

What did you think when they called you?

I was nervous I weighed 180 pounds. I had to lose 24 pounds and overweight. I only had 9 days to prepare. I was nervous but excited. I was confident but I wasn’t sure how hard I could go for three rounds because I wasn’t in good shape.

What did you think when Grice rocked you?

I thought get back and keep moving. Keep moving your hips and recover. I had to get to my feet.

Was you worried the ref would stop it?

Yes, when he was on top punching me. I was still moving but I was afraid the ref would step it. It was a great fight.

It was kind of like a Rocky movie. The momentum would go his way then it shifted my way then I came back and won in dramatic fashion.

Were you nervous walking to the octagon?

Yeah but I get a little nervous before every fight. Once the bell rings and you make contact with the guy all the nerves just go away.

How did you get into MMA?

What inspired me was when I was wrestling in college Matt was first getting in the sport and he was a good wrestler and he was dominating MMA so I thought I could do it. After college I was recovering from a back injury so I took a year or two off then I started competing again because I wanted to see how far it could take me.

How did you wind up with the HIT squad?

I originally trained here in Springfield, Illinois at Warrior Concepts. When Matt fought GSP the last time he needed a training partner to come to Hillsboro and I got a call from Marc Fiore and they were going to open a gym and they could put me on full time. I said heck yeah!

Where you nervous the first time you rolled with Matt?

Yeah, he kicked my butt on the grounds. On takedowns and wrestling we were pretty even. But on submissions and on the ground he is on a different level than me. He still kicks my butt and I can defend myself on the ground but for the most part he kicks my butt.

How do you see the Serra-Hughes fight shaking out?

Well if Matt trains hard he’ll win the fight for sure. He’s working out right now and I know he’s motivated. He told me it’s easy to train for because he really want to win.

Do you think it’ll be his last fight?

I don’t know. It’s what it is looking like. It could be. He’s not sure.

Is there any other guys in the HIT squad you see making waves in the UFC?

Amir Khillah, Kyle Watson, CJ Fernandez. the sky is limit for them. Clay French would probably be in there but he only has one eye and he can’t get past the commission. He has to go to Japan to fight.

Jeremiah Riggs, he’s a tough guy. He’ll fight anybody. He’s kind of a street fighter. He needs to up his wrestling and ground game a little but and he’ll be ok.

What about Robbie Lawler?

Yeah, I heard he’s going over to Strikeforce and should fight for them in a couple months probably.

Anything else you want to say to the fans?

I love the fans without them we wouldn’t be doing this sport.

Matt Veach steps in for injured George Sotiropolous to fight Matt Grice at UFC Fight Night 17 – from MMAmania

By: MMAmania

It’s “Bedlam” all over again with UFC Fight Night 17.

The first-ever event for the promotion in Tampa, Fla., has been riddled with injuries and last-minute replacements in the past week. Main event attraction Hermes Franca and The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 7 winner Amir Sadollah were recently scratched.

Now you can add George Sotiropolous to the hit list.

The Australian — who gained notoriety on season six of TUF — suffered an injury while training, which has forced him off the Spike TV special. Sotiropolous has had a run-in with injuries recently, keeping him out of action since a dominating technical knockout win over fellow TUF contestant Roman Mitichyan at UFC Fight Night 13 last April.

Hopefully, he can bounce back sooner rather than later. For now, undefeated promotional newcomer Matt Veach will take his place against newly anointed Oklahoma police officer, Matt Grice.

Veach recently turned professional and hasn’t looked back since, winning all 10 of his fights in little more than two years worth of work. And he’s done it impressively with stoppages in 90 percent of those contests mostly by way of submission.

Grice was on a personal leave from the UFC to pursue a career in local law enforcement. He hasn’t been seen in the Octagon since his battle against Jason Black at last year’s UFC 77. The two put on a stellar three-round war that garnered “Fight of the Night” honors and some much deserved buzz about their respective futures.

His fighting future now includes a showdown with Veach, which will be relegated to the non-televised portion of the Spike TV card.

UFC Fight Night 17 will feature a main event between TUF 5 alum Joe Lauzon against budding lightweight talent, Jeremy Stephens, in the main event. Stephens recently replaced the injured Hermes Franca. The fight between Catone and Downey will more than likely not be guaranteed to air during the televised portion of the Spike TV broadcast.

To check out the latest UFC Fight Night 17 fight card and rumors click here.