Aktualności | News
"Expect a guy in pink shorts beating on another dude" – interview with Maciej Jewtuszko
Occupation – firefighter, hobby – MMA. Maciej Jewtuszko, WEC and UFC veteran, will make his KSW debut on November’s KSW17 card against Artur Sowinski. We prepared the interview with the Polish lightweight standout, where he talks about his job, things he likes and his MMA career. Enjoy the read!
Hello Maciek. Tell us why you decided to sign with KSW?
- Well, KSW is the number one promotion in Poland and has a solid chance to be the number one in Europe. That’s the reason.
Could you reveal for how long you’ll be a KSW fighter?
- Who knows (laughs). They will use my service for as long as I keep winning. At least that’s what I hope for.
Not every KSW fan knows that you are a firefighter by trade. Tell us about your job. Why did you choose such a difficult occupation. How does your job affect your MMA trainings?
- I’ve always wanted to be a firefighter (laughs). It’s a unique job, buy I enjoy it. I like helping people, even though there are also many drastic moments which I will never forget. That’s the path I chose so I don’t complain. Sometimes it’s really difficult to find suitable time for my trainings, but my coaches Piotr Baginski and Marcin Parcheta usually work out the logistics, so I can be prepared for my fights.
You fought your last two fights in WEC and UFC. Tell us about it. How was it to fight for the best organization in the world.
- What can I say? It was simply awesome (laughs). I hope to return to UFC soon. I’m not satisfied with I what I showed in my UFC debut.
You experienced the US show by yourself, you also watched many KSW events. How would you compare these two promotional models?
- KSW and UFC are different spectacles. KSW is a true show more similar to Pride, while UFC is focused purely on the sporting aspect of MMA. KSW does a great job in attracting casual public. They have great TV rating thanks to celebrity fighters who compete on their cards. It’s a pretty good idea, thanks to them the average Joe learnt what MMA was all about. As far as the UFC goes, it is a true champions league of MMA.
What can you say about the terms of your KSW deal in comparison with your UFC contract?
- UFC deal was obviously exclusive. It’s understandable because they insure every fighter on the roster, hand out fight night bonuses and other perks. It’s much different in Poland, but KSW is the leader here and they can expect Polish-exclusive deals. The monetary terms didn’t blow me away, but they are by far the best I’ve been offered in Poland so far.
You are set to face the fellow Pole Artur Sowinski at KSW 17. What can you say about his strengths and weaknesses?
- I know him really well as we trained together a bit. As far as his weaknesses go, I’m sure he has them and I will try to take advantage of it.
The KSW 17 show is two months away so you probably can say much about your training camp. Do you have a schedule set for the preparation for the Sowinski bout. Where and with whom will you train for this fight?
- Artur is a very tough opponent. He’s very fast so I will concentrate on my speed as well. I will be preparing in Berserkers Team, Skorpion boxing club and Nak Muay Szczecin under my usual coaches.
What about your health, do you have any injuries at the moment? - It’s ok. I’ve had a few minor injuries, but it’s a standard thing for anyone who competes in MMA. I’m fully healed now and one hundred percent ready to train.
The fight will be contested at seventy kilograms. Will you cut a lot of weight to hit the contracted limit?
- Sure I will. I walk around at 81-83 kilograms, so I have plenty of weight to cut.
I have to ask about your weight-cutting routine. How do you lose more than ten kilograms before the fight? Aren’t you afraid that it may negatively effect your health in the future?
- It may affect me when I’m older, but MMA is what I love to do. You have to make sacrifices to be the best. Irokez what can you say to all the people who bought the tickets or plan to watch your fight on Polsat.
- Expect a guy in pink shorts beating on another dude (laughs).
Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
- I’d like to thank all my sponsors, coaches and teammates for their constant help and wish all the best to all MMA fans.
Maciej thanks for the interview and see you soon.
- Thank you.
Interview by Artur Przybysz
Hello Maciek. Tell us why you decided to sign with KSW?
- Well, KSW is the number one promotion in Poland and has a solid chance to be the number one in Europe. That’s the reason.
Could you reveal for how long you’ll be a KSW fighter?
- Who knows (laughs). They will use my service for as long as I keep winning. At least that’s what I hope for.
Not every KSW fan knows that you are a firefighter by trade. Tell us about your job. Why did you choose such a difficult occupation. How does your job affect your MMA trainings?
- I’ve always wanted to be a firefighter (laughs). It’s a unique job, buy I enjoy it. I like helping people, even though there are also many drastic moments which I will never forget. That’s the path I chose so I don’t complain. Sometimes it’s really difficult to find suitable time for my trainings, but my coaches Piotr Baginski and Marcin Parcheta usually work out the logistics, so I can be prepared for my fights.
You fought your last two fights in WEC and UFC. Tell us about it. How was it to fight for the best organization in the world.
- What can I say? It was simply awesome (laughs). I hope to return to UFC soon. I’m not satisfied with I what I showed in my UFC debut.
You experienced the US show by yourself, you also watched many KSW events. How would you compare these two promotional models?
- KSW and UFC are different spectacles. KSW is a true show more similar to Pride, while UFC is focused purely on the sporting aspect of MMA. KSW does a great job in attracting casual public. They have great TV rating thanks to celebrity fighters who compete on their cards. It’s a pretty good idea, thanks to them the average Joe learnt what MMA was all about. As far as the UFC goes, it is a true champions league of MMA.
What can you say about the terms of your KSW deal in comparison with your UFC contract?
- UFC deal was obviously exclusive. It’s understandable because they insure every fighter on the roster, hand out fight night bonuses and other perks. It’s much different in Poland, but KSW is the leader here and they can expect Polish-exclusive deals. The monetary terms didn’t blow me away, but they are by far the best I’ve been offered in Poland so far.
You are set to face the fellow Pole Artur Sowinski at KSW 17. What can you say about his strengths and weaknesses?
- I know him really well as we trained together a bit. As far as his weaknesses go, I’m sure he has them and I will try to take advantage of it.
The KSW 17 show is two months away so you probably can say much about your training camp. Do you have a schedule set for the preparation for the Sowinski bout. Where and with whom will you train for this fight?
- Artur is a very tough opponent. He’s very fast so I will concentrate on my speed as well. I will be preparing in Berserkers Team, Skorpion boxing club and Nak Muay Szczecin under my usual coaches.
What about your health, do you have any injuries at the moment? - It’s ok. I’ve had a few minor injuries, but it’s a standard thing for anyone who competes in MMA. I’m fully healed now and one hundred percent ready to train.
The fight will be contested at seventy kilograms. Will you cut a lot of weight to hit the contracted limit?
- Sure I will. I walk around at 81-83 kilograms, so I have plenty of weight to cut.
I have to ask about your weight-cutting routine. How do you lose more than ten kilograms before the fight? Aren’t you afraid that it may negatively effect your health in the future?
- It may affect me when I’m older, but MMA is what I love to do. You have to make sacrifices to be the best. Irokez what can you say to all the people who bought the tickets or plan to watch your fight on Polsat.
- Expect a guy in pink shorts beating on another dude (laughs).
Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
- I’d like to thank all my sponsors, coaches and teammates for their constant help and wish all the best to all MMA fans.
Maciej thanks for the interview and see you soon.
- Thank you.
Interview by Artur Przybysz
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,...