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"A Pole is my sporting idol" - interview with Matt Lindland
Hello Matt. How are you? You were scheduled to fight in Poland in March but unfortunately got injured. Is everything ok with your hand?
- I feel absolutely great. Mamed is a very good fighter, it did not make sense to fight him injured.
Please tell us about your time when you wrestled on international level. What did it mean to you to win a silver medal at the Olympics in Sydney.
- I wrestled many years and many of my trips were in Poland. It is always a great country to travel to. I love the culture, the Polish people and there are so many beautiful things to see. My favorite city to visit was Wladyslawowo near Gadansk. I won Wladyslaw Pytlasinski wrestling tournament Poland. I also wrestled at world championships in Wroclaw in 1997.
Why did such a great and accomplished athlete like you decide to switch disciplines and start fighting MMA. Was it a financial issue? Why did you begin your MMA career.
- MMA was a new sport, it was exciting and presented many new challenges. I had already accomplished a lot in wrestling. Sure I was looking to make a living in sport and MMA did pay better than wrestling.
You are a true veteran of the sport. You made your MMA debut in 1997. How has the sport evolved since then?
- Yes I am an original pioneer in MMA and the sport is constantly evolving. We are now seeing many great athletes. It’s great that the popularity is growing worldwide and fighters have exciting opportunities.
You fought for the best promotion in the world – UFC. How do you remember that time?
- UFC is a great organization and the leader in MMA. It’s an honor to have been a part of their organization.
What is your most memorable fight? And why?
- Pat Militch because I beat him not long after starting MMA and he was a world champion.
On May 21st you will fight at KSW 16. Have you ever heard about KSW before? What do you know about Poland?
- I have heard of KSW recently because of Mamed. I know he is a great fighter at my weight class and this is the organization he fights for. I know a decent amount about Poland. I have been there many times and visited many cities Poznan, Chelm, Katoriwe, Oswiecim, Spala and I am sure other cities I just can’t spell the names. One of my major wrestling heroes Jozef Tracz is from Poland.
You are scheduled to face a renowned top ten middleweight Mamed Khalidov. What do you know about him?
- I know he is super talented athlete with many skills. Mamed will present many challenges and I am looking forward to the opportunity to face him.
Many people believe that Mamed is a European Anderson Silva. Would you agree?
- I did not know Mamed is the European Anderson. I would agree they are both excellent fighters.
How do you want to win this fight, standing up or on the ground?
- I really don’t care, I just plan to win.
Matt, please say a few word to MMA fans in Poland...
- Thank you for your interest in this fight I look forward to putting on a great show for you all in skills and my fighting spirit.
...and a message to your opponent Mamed Khalidov.
- I will see you May 21 my friend and I will be ready to brawl.
Interview by Artur Przybysz
- I feel absolutely great. Mamed is a very good fighter, it did not make sense to fight him injured.
Please tell us about your time when you wrestled on international level. What did it mean to you to win a silver medal at the Olympics in Sydney.
- I wrestled many years and many of my trips were in Poland. It is always a great country to travel to. I love the culture, the Polish people and there are so many beautiful things to see. My favorite city to visit was Wladyslawowo near Gadansk. I won Wladyslaw Pytlasinski wrestling tournament Poland. I also wrestled at world championships in Wroclaw in 1997.
Why did such a great and accomplished athlete like you decide to switch disciplines and start fighting MMA. Was it a financial issue? Why did you begin your MMA career.
- MMA was a new sport, it was exciting and presented many new challenges. I had already accomplished a lot in wrestling. Sure I was looking to make a living in sport and MMA did pay better than wrestling.
You are a true veteran of the sport. You made your MMA debut in 1997. How has the sport evolved since then?
- Yes I am an original pioneer in MMA and the sport is constantly evolving. We are now seeing many great athletes. It’s great that the popularity is growing worldwide and fighters have exciting opportunities.
You fought for the best promotion in the world – UFC. How do you remember that time?
- UFC is a great organization and the leader in MMA. It’s an honor to have been a part of their organization.
What is your most memorable fight? And why?
- Pat Militch because I beat him not long after starting MMA and he was a world champion.
On May 21st you will fight at KSW 16. Have you ever heard about KSW before? What do you know about Poland?
- I have heard of KSW recently because of Mamed. I know he is a great fighter at my weight class and this is the organization he fights for. I know a decent amount about Poland. I have been there many times and visited many cities Poznan, Chelm, Katoriwe, Oswiecim, Spala and I am sure other cities I just can’t spell the names. One of my major wrestling heroes Jozef Tracz is from Poland.
You are scheduled to face a renowned top ten middleweight Mamed Khalidov. What do you know about him?
- I know he is super talented athlete with many skills. Mamed will present many challenges and I am looking forward to the opportunity to face him.
Many people believe that Mamed is a European Anderson Silva. Would you agree?
- I did not know Mamed is the European Anderson. I would agree they are both excellent fighters.
How do you want to win this fight, standing up or on the ground?
- I really don’t care, I just plan to win.
Matt, please say a few word to MMA fans in Poland...
- Thank you for your interest in this fight I look forward to putting on a great show for you all in skills and my fighting spirit.
...and a message to your opponent Mamed Khalidov.
- I will see you May 21 my friend and I will be ready to brawl.
Interview by Artur Przybysz
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