Aktualności | News
“KSW gave me a really good financial offer” - interview with Matt Horwich
On November 26-th at KSW17 - Revenge two experienced middleweights will collide. Polish standout Michal Materla will square off against the true veteran of the sport Matt Horwich. Courtesy of Wojciech Mrozowski we present you with the interview with the American fighter. Enjoy the read!
Hi Matt, how are you?
Thanks, I'm feeling great, it's another beautiful day in the universe. Every day is a new adventure with brand new possibilities and with that I try to evolve mentally, spiritually and physically.
Let's talk about your upcoming bout in Poland. How did the KSW fight come about?
- Well, my wife, who's my manager, contacted KSW about a year ago and they've recently responded with the fight offer. I'm highly motivated for this bout. KSW is a great organization, they treat their fighters really well and pay very decent money. I'm proud to be able to be a part of their show. I train super hard and I feel on top of my game. I plan to come back and evolve mentally, spiritually and physically even more.
Have you every heard about your upcoming opponent Michal Materla?
- I've never get any easy opponents, you know. He's got many tools to finish the fight, his guillotine, armbars, kimuras. It sounds like a well-matched fight, two mixed martial artists trading submission attempts in the rhythm of music. I look forward to flying to Poland, fighting for a submission victory and meeting local MMA fans.
Have you ever been to Poland before?
- I haven't. It will be my first time Poland and I can't wait for this experience.
I personally believe that a fighter in front of his own crowd usually has a significant advantage. You’re going to your foe's territory. Would you agree with that statement?
- When I fight near my home, where my friends and family can watch me, I feel more comfortable. However I've already beaten many opponents on their home turf. For instance I defeated a great wrestler Jake Rosholt in his home state of Oklahoma. There are also many fighters who don’t like fighting at home, so I'm not really sure if this advantage can be scientifically proved.
In one of the recent interviews Materla said that he planned to finish you either with submission or by TKO. What is your game plan for this bout?
- Well, my game plan is to evolve as a fighter and show progress in every area of MMA in my next fight. I hope that thanks to the Great Spirit it will be a good fight for both of us. My strategy is simple I want to be victorious, just like Michal. We both fight for our families to be the best in what we do. I train really hard and I'm ready to put on the best show of my career, if that's the grace of the Great Spirit.
You have many fights under your belt, you had your up and downs, winning and losing streaks. Why do you think your career unfolded that way?
- The level of talent in the sport is constantly growing and there are many great fighters. I've had many great nights in my career like theone when I was the first to submit Thales Leites in the MMA fight. I'm grateful for these moments and I think I showed as much as I could thanks to Emmanuel's grace.
You've fought for some of the biggest organizations in the world. Are you satisfied with the financial terms KSW offered you?
- Oh yeah, sure I am. I will make the most money since I fought for IFL [in 2008, before Matt's UFC debut]. I'm really grateful that KSW treats their fighters so well. I want to repay them for their generosity with my best-possible performance. As I said earlier, I train really hard in order not to waste this opportunity.
You said that your wife managed you. What does she exactly do?
- She's a manager, she negotiates my paydays, finds places where I could train, helps with my daily stuff. I’m grateful for having such a wonderful wife and friends. I thank God for this amazing world.
From your outstanding experience, could you give any piece of advice to up-and-coming fighters?
- Follow your dreams, work hard and try to reach the sky. God gave as an unlimited potential, so we can achieve great things. I believe that the difference between a hero an a normal person comes down to a few right choices in life. Couple that with hard work and true passion. When we follow our dreams we inspire others to shine and follow their dreams as well. Live your life with faith and courage. We can make everything we touch become better.
Thanks for the interview and good luck in the ring. I hope to see you soon in Poland.
- Great, I look forward to it. Thank you very much.
Interview by Wojciech Mrozowski
Hi Matt, how are you?
Thanks, I'm feeling great, it's another beautiful day in the universe. Every day is a new adventure with brand new possibilities and with that I try to evolve mentally, spiritually and physically.
Let's talk about your upcoming bout in Poland. How did the KSW fight come about?
- Well, my wife, who's my manager, contacted KSW about a year ago and they've recently responded with the fight offer. I'm highly motivated for this bout. KSW is a great organization, they treat their fighters really well and pay very decent money. I'm proud to be able to be a part of their show. I train super hard and I feel on top of my game. I plan to come back and evolve mentally, spiritually and physically even more.
Have you every heard about your upcoming opponent Michal Materla?
- I've never get any easy opponents, you know. He's got many tools to finish the fight, his guillotine, armbars, kimuras. It sounds like a well-matched fight, two mixed martial artists trading submission attempts in the rhythm of music. I look forward to flying to Poland, fighting for a submission victory and meeting local MMA fans.
Have you ever been to Poland before?
- I haven't. It will be my first time Poland and I can't wait for this experience.
I personally believe that a fighter in front of his own crowd usually has a significant advantage. You’re going to your foe's territory. Would you agree with that statement?
- When I fight near my home, where my friends and family can watch me, I feel more comfortable. However I've already beaten many opponents on their home turf. For instance I defeated a great wrestler Jake Rosholt in his home state of Oklahoma. There are also many fighters who don’t like fighting at home, so I'm not really sure if this advantage can be scientifically proved.
In one of the recent interviews Materla said that he planned to finish you either with submission or by TKO. What is your game plan for this bout?
- Well, my game plan is to evolve as a fighter and show progress in every area of MMA in my next fight. I hope that thanks to the Great Spirit it will be a good fight for both of us. My strategy is simple I want to be victorious, just like Michal. We both fight for our families to be the best in what we do. I train really hard and I'm ready to put on the best show of my career, if that's the grace of the Great Spirit.
You have many fights under your belt, you had your up and downs, winning and losing streaks. Why do you think your career unfolded that way?
- The level of talent in the sport is constantly growing and there are many great fighters. I've had many great nights in my career like theone when I was the first to submit Thales Leites in the MMA fight. I'm grateful for these moments and I think I showed as much as I could thanks to Emmanuel's grace.
You've fought for some of the biggest organizations in the world. Are you satisfied with the financial terms KSW offered you?
- Oh yeah, sure I am. I will make the most money since I fought for IFL [in 2008, before Matt's UFC debut]. I'm really grateful that KSW treats their fighters so well. I want to repay them for their generosity with my best-possible performance. As I said earlier, I train really hard in order not to waste this opportunity.
You said that your wife managed you. What does she exactly do?
- She's a manager, she negotiates my paydays, finds places where I could train, helps with my daily stuff. I’m grateful for having such a wonderful wife and friends. I thank God for this amazing world.
From your outstanding experience, could you give any piece of advice to up-and-coming fighters?
- Follow your dreams, work hard and try to reach the sky. God gave as an unlimited potential, so we can achieve great things. I believe that the difference between a hero an a normal person comes down to a few right choices in life. Couple that with hard work and true passion. When we follow our dreams we inspire others to shine and follow their dreams as well. Live your life with faith and courage. We can make everything we touch become better.
Thanks for the interview and good luck in the ring. I hope to see you soon in Poland.
- Great, I look forward to it. Thank you very much.
Interview by Wojciech Mrozowski
Inne wpisy
XTB KSW 121 – where to watch
XTB KSW 121 is taking place on Saturday, September 19th in Liberec. The main event will be the interim heavyweight title match between Štefan Vojčák r...
Q&A With Laura Grzyb
Poland’s undefeated IBO boxing world champion and KSW MMA star Laura Grzyb (3-0 MMA, 12-0 boxing) steps back into the KSW cage this Saturday,...