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“Khalidov is a younger Anderson Silva” - interview with James Irvin
We present you with the interview with James Irvin who is set to square off against Mamed Khalidov at KSW15. Californian fighter talks about his MMA career and shows his admiration to Khalidov’s fighting style.
Hello James. How was your preparations for Mamed Khalidov go? Where and with whom did you train?
- Training for Mamed went injury free for the first time in a lot of fights. I did a lot of new training and conditioning for this fight and I'm hoping it shows March 19th. I trained with my usual camp at Reign with Mark Munoz, Krzystof, King Mo, and Babalu. I also started training BJJ at the new UFC training gym.
What do you think of Khalidov as your opponent?
- I think Mamed is the champ for a reason. First off because the guy flat out wins. He has great cardio and has no really weaknesses as it appears. He is a fighter that is not afraid to try new and crazy moves to end fights.
You fought Anderson Silva and you know it best how dangerous he is. Many people say that Mamed Khalidov is the European “Spider”, because he is as unpredictable and unorthodox as Silva. I assume you watched Khalidov’s fights, would you agree with this comparison?
- He is totally like a younger Spider. He is just as dynamic and very well rounded. He still has many years to grow into that caliber of fighter. I'm excited!
Both you and Mamed like to exchange punches. Is it possible to say that this fight might turn into a slugfest and will end with one fighter lying on the canvas?
- I do not see this fight turning into a slugfest. Mamed is too good and has great take-downs when people press him, but at the same time I'm sure this fight will end with a bang. KSW is the biggest MMA show in Europe. Have you heard about us before? What do you know about KSW?
- Of course, I've heard of KSW. I think any true fan of MMA knows how many good fighters are coming out of Europe and KSW leads the way.
Do you know any Polish fighters?
- I train with Krzystof Soszynski at my home gym, but I've also seen Pudzinanowski and Drwal fight. Honestly Mamed is now my favorite Polish fighter after watching all of his fights.
You are the former WEC heavyweight champion, you also fought at light heavyweight and now you compete at middleweight. Why do you change weight classes so often?
- I was the former Gladiator Heavy weight champion first, then I went to the WEC and won the heavy-weight belt there. I played football through high school and junior college and received a scholarship to play college football at Azusa Pacific University in southern California. At the age of 22 after 10 years of playing football, I weighed 250 pounds so when I started MMA I was naturally a heavy-weight. Each year that went by after that the weight just fell off.
My first loss at heavy-weigh and was also my first fight with the UFC. After that I dropped down to 205 pounds and most of my career has been at light-heavy weight. I'm hoping I can finish my career at 185 pounds, but my weight is secondary to my training now.
How did you get your nickname The Sandman?
- Sandman was a name that I never asked for and I never wanted, but I earned it in High School Football knocking out two kids in two separate games putting them to sleep. After that the name followed me to my Junior college and University and then finally with me to my MMA career.
Do you want to say anything to Khalidov?
- I would like to tell Khalidov that I have watched almost all of his fights and that I am a big fan of his now and I have trained for his as though he is the UFC 185 pound champion. I respect the way he fights and find it to be a similar style to mine. I'm looking forward to fight of the night and possibly fight of the year. With that said, we both go home healthy and without serious injury.
Please invite MMA fans around the world to watch KSW 15 headlined by Khalidov vs Irvin clash.
- And where can I my friends and my family watch the show?
They can do it via ipla Sport internet TV at http://ksw.ipla.tv/en/.
- Thanks for the instructions and I invite you all to check out the show.
Interview by Artur Przybysz
Hello James. How was your preparations for Mamed Khalidov go? Where and with whom did you train?
- Training for Mamed went injury free for the first time in a lot of fights. I did a lot of new training and conditioning for this fight and I'm hoping it shows March 19th. I trained with my usual camp at Reign with Mark Munoz, Krzystof, King Mo, and Babalu. I also started training BJJ at the new UFC training gym.
What do you think of Khalidov as your opponent?
- I think Mamed is the champ for a reason. First off because the guy flat out wins. He has great cardio and has no really weaknesses as it appears. He is a fighter that is not afraid to try new and crazy moves to end fights.
You fought Anderson Silva and you know it best how dangerous he is. Many people say that Mamed Khalidov is the European “Spider”, because he is as unpredictable and unorthodox as Silva. I assume you watched Khalidov’s fights, would you agree with this comparison?
- He is totally like a younger Spider. He is just as dynamic and very well rounded. He still has many years to grow into that caliber of fighter. I'm excited!
Both you and Mamed like to exchange punches. Is it possible to say that this fight might turn into a slugfest and will end with one fighter lying on the canvas?
- I do not see this fight turning into a slugfest. Mamed is too good and has great take-downs when people press him, but at the same time I'm sure this fight will end with a bang. KSW is the biggest MMA show in Europe. Have you heard about us before? What do you know about KSW?
- Of course, I've heard of KSW. I think any true fan of MMA knows how many good fighters are coming out of Europe and KSW leads the way.
Do you know any Polish fighters?
- I train with Krzystof Soszynski at my home gym, but I've also seen Pudzinanowski and Drwal fight. Honestly Mamed is now my favorite Polish fighter after watching all of his fights.
You are the former WEC heavyweight champion, you also fought at light heavyweight and now you compete at middleweight. Why do you change weight classes so often?
- I was the former Gladiator Heavy weight champion first, then I went to the WEC and won the heavy-weight belt there. I played football through high school and junior college and received a scholarship to play college football at Azusa Pacific University in southern California. At the age of 22 after 10 years of playing football, I weighed 250 pounds so when I started MMA I was naturally a heavy-weight. Each year that went by after that the weight just fell off.
My first loss at heavy-weigh and was also my first fight with the UFC. After that I dropped down to 205 pounds and most of my career has been at light-heavy weight. I'm hoping I can finish my career at 185 pounds, but my weight is secondary to my training now.
How did you get your nickname The Sandman?
- Sandman was a name that I never asked for and I never wanted, but I earned it in High School Football knocking out two kids in two separate games putting them to sleep. After that the name followed me to my Junior college and University and then finally with me to my MMA career.
Do you want to say anything to Khalidov?
- I would like to tell Khalidov that I have watched almost all of his fights and that I am a big fan of his now and I have trained for his as though he is the UFC 185 pound champion. I respect the way he fights and find it to be a similar style to mine. I'm looking forward to fight of the night and possibly fight of the year. With that said, we both go home healthy and without serious injury.
Please invite MMA fans around the world to watch KSW 15 headlined by Khalidov vs Irvin clash.
- And where can I my friends and my family watch the show?
They can do it via ipla Sport internet TV at http://ksw.ipla.tv/en/.
- Thanks for the instructions and I invite you all to check out the show.
Interview by Artur Przybysz
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