The 10^th KSW Camp will be held in Giżycko this July. KSW Federation owners invited a special person to be one of the coaches. One of the most recognizable UFC fighters, Poland-born Krzysztof Soszyński will pass on his knowledge to camp’s participants. We talked with Krzysztof about him being a coach, his goals and memories from his on training camps. The interview is available below.

Hello Krzysztof. In July you’ll once again visit Poland to be a coach at the 10th KSW camp. Please tell us when you received the offer to be a part of the project?

- I received an email from Martin regarding the KSW camp a few months ago. I was immediately interested and we started discussing details. 

Did KSW owners need to persuade you to be a coach and share your knowledge with young Polish MMA enthusiasts?

- The owners of KSW did not need to persuade me at all. It was an honor to be selected to pass on my knowledge of the sport we love so much. I also have the privilege of sharing my mixed martial arts experience in the U.S. as I am the MMA manager, coach and personal trainer at the UFC Gym in Torrance, California. 

Is it the first coaching offer you received from Poland?

- After my fight in Germany against Goran Relic I received many offers from MMA gyms in Poland to run seminars. Unfortunately my stay in Poland was short and I did not have the chance to host an event. This will be my first coaching experience in Poland.

As a professional fighter you must have attended many fight preparation camps. How do you recall them?

- Fight camps are brutal and stressful! Twelve weeks of hell. Train, eat, sleep, repeat (sometimes 2-3 times a day). You learn to push your body to the limit and conquer goals you never thought possible. This sport is extremely demanding and the camps can take a toll on your body. Fighters put in many hours of work for their 15-25 minutes of fun in the octagon.

How would you characterize the most important goals of such camp?

- I believe the most important goal of a camp is to be ready mentally for the fight. If I believe that I did everything I could to get my body ready for a fight physically and mentally then everything will be ok. The second there is any doubt in your mind you have already lost the fight even before it’s started. I have seen this many times.

What can we expect from the trainings which will be led by you?

- I will try and pass on as much knowledge as I possibly can. It is the small details that mean the most; where the hands go, where the hips go... We will proceed methodically; nice and slow. I do not want to teach 15 moves in an hour because you will forget them all. I want everyone who comes to the KSW camp to go home and feel like they have learned something useful and enhance their skill set.

Will you concentrate more on striking or maybe grappling?

- I will focus on the transitions from striking to wrestling, from wrestling to BJJ, from BJJ to wrestling and wrestling to striking. The grappling level in Poland is top notch but there is very little wrestling geared towards MMA. I believe I can help a lot of Polish fighters with their transition game.

Have you already talked to Michał Garnys, who is the camp coordinator?

- Yes we have spoken several times and are putting together a great plan for the students.

What is your coaching experience? Do you consider yourself to be a good teacher?

- I have be involved in MMA for the past 11 years. I have trained under some amazing coaches and have been a training partner to some of the top fighters in MMA. I always said I was a better coach than a fighter and I look forward to passing on what I have learned over the past decade.

What would you say to encourage MMA practitioners to take part in the camp?

- This camp is open to anyone; from a beginner to a seasoned veteran of the sport. I will do my best to help every single participant and answer as many questions as I can. I hope to have one on one time with each student. My goal is for each person to become an improved MMA practitioner after this camp. I will also join in the training as my coaching style is more hands-on.

Marcin Różalski and Piotr Jeleniewski will also serve as coaches at the camp. Have you ever heard about them?

- I have not heard of them but I will do some research before I leave for Poland. I am looking forward to learning from both of them.

Giżycko is located in Masuria, the land of lakes and forests. Have you ever been there?

- I have never been to Giżycko but I have researched the area and was told it is beautiful. I am looking forward to exploring this great location.

The resort where the camp is held is located near the Niegocin lake. Do you plan to sail or maybe fish there?

- I would love to do some sailing and paddle boarding if there are any paddle board rental places there.

I know that you are staying in Poland for another few days after the camp. Would you tell us what your plans are? Do you want to visit your family or maybe go sightseeing?

- My plan is to visit my grandparents in Stalowa Wola after the camp. After my visit I am flying home to California as I have to get back to work at the UFC Gym.