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People want spectacles, we will become gladiators ? interview with Marcin Najman
The fight between World?s Strongest Man Mariusz Pudzianowski and heavyweight pro boxer Marcin Najman will without a doubt be the main attraction at Martial Arts Confrontation 12. After the press conference I had the opportunity to talk to with both athletes. Here is what the well-known El Testosteron had to say.
Hello Marcin
-Hello
Your MMA debut had to be postponed because of the leg injury. Please tell us, is everything alright now?
-It?s not bad. Recently after a hard training I have felt it a little bit. I still have some time before the Pudzianowski fight. Once I start my training camp in October, no injury will stop me. It was a serious injury, but it is already healed, so even it hurts I can fight through it!
You mentioned October as the beginning of your preparation. Whom are you going to train with?
-I will train my boxing at home in Częstochowa or in Warsaw with my friend Jerzy Kulej, who always helps me. My MMA training will be under Robert Kostecki. I believe my cooperation with him before my cancelled debut proved that everything was going in the right direction. Kostecki is great at mimicing Pudzian at practice, because he is also very strong and heavy. It?s a perfect choice.
You mentioned In earlier interviews that you are planning to train MMA with Lukasz Wos in Czestochowa. I know that there are a few Pudzian built fighters in his gym, don?t you think it?s a good idea to spar with them?
-Czestochowa is quite rich in MMA fighters. I know Lukasz and his training regimen suits me. There are indeed some heavy guys in his gym, some even bigger than Mariusz. There are definitely good fighters to spar with.
Your opponent declares in the interviews that wrestling will be his main weapon against you and he wants to finish you on the ground. Do you also plan to train mainly wrestling whereas your boxing will be just an addition.
-Not at all. Boxing will be the main area where I want to win this fight. As far as my ground training, I need to learn how to escape from the floor and not to get taken down. I won?t train techniques in which I?m the weakest, cause it?ll be a waste o time. I have to win using my attributes which are dynamic hands, cardio and ring experience.
Since you don?t put emphasis on training wrestling there is a huge possibility that the fight will look like this: Pudzian goes after you, takes you down and finishes you on the ground.
-It?s not like that. I need to train defensive elements, which will allow me to stop his shoot. What?s going to happen? What?s his going to do? Who knows? There is a possibility that I will put him to sleep with one punch or I can get knocked out. This is heavyweight. Mariusz weighs 140 kilograms, I?m 102 kilograms, any punch can end the fight. The fight itself will show what will happen. I have to be prepared as good as it is possible!
KSW Federation contracted you to a fight with Mariusz Pudzianowski. Are you aware that after you beat the World?s Strongest Man everyone will be talking about you not only in Poland, but all over the world.
-KSW Federation has done a great thing organizing this fight between me and Pudzianowski. I have to say that I?m really grateful to KSW guys for this. I know that it cost a lot of work to put this bout. I?m glad Mariusz has accepted the challenge. I?m sure our fight will be a great show. People want spectacles, our role is to become gladiators.
Many people call this fight a David vs. Goliath showdown. Do you agree with it?
-Not really. Mariusz is 2 centimeters taller than me, and a few kilograms heavier. However, the difference is not that huge to call it a David vs. Goliath battle. He obviously has great physical attributes, but I have experience in the ring. We both haven?t fought MMA yet, though. We are both making our debuts on the neutral ground.
Would you agree that the fight against Pudzianwoski is going to be the biggest fight in your professional career.
-Hmmm? It?s definitely going to be a big MMA fight. Is it going to be my biggest promotional achievement? I don?t think so, I?m not an anonymous person, nor is Mariusz. It?s not about us, it?s abut promoting MMA. I believe this fight will considerably raise the popularity of this sport in Poland.
You organize another charity football game in Czestochowa next Friday? Are you participating in it? Aren?t you afraid that you might reinjure your leg?
-I organize the charity match between boxers and speedway riders for the 8th time. Mariusz also took part in it two years ago. We help people who need it the most. This year it is a ten-year-old boy from Czestochowa, who had his leg amputated because of illness. I always played in the past, however this time, I?ll just do the honorary kick-off. I can?t put myself in danger of being injured again. I have to be healthy and prepared before the biggest fight of my life.
What can you say about your opponent?
-He is a big, strong dude. However, fighting is not only about physical strength, it is also technique, endurance and mental preparation. There a lot factors who make a good fighter. Strength is Mariusz?s biggest asset. I will be definitely faster. How will it end? I don?t know. I?ll do everything to have my hand raised after the battle, though.
What are your biggest assets?
-Speed, determination and endurance!
Finally, tell us why do you hate each other so much?
-Mariusz achieved great success as an athlete, but he changed after that. He is arrogant and cocky. I don?t like that and I want to teach him a lesson.
Marcin, thanks for your time
-My pleasure
Interview by Artur Przybysz
-Hello
Your MMA debut had to be postponed because of the leg injury. Please tell us, is everything alright now?
-It?s not bad. Recently after a hard training I have felt it a little bit. I still have some time before the Pudzianowski fight. Once I start my training camp in October, no injury will stop me. It was a serious injury, but it is already healed, so even it hurts I can fight through it!
You mentioned October as the beginning of your preparation. Whom are you going to train with?
-I will train my boxing at home in Częstochowa or in Warsaw with my friend Jerzy Kulej, who always helps me. My MMA training will be under Robert Kostecki. I believe my cooperation with him before my cancelled debut proved that everything was going in the right direction. Kostecki is great at mimicing Pudzian at practice, because he is also very strong and heavy. It?s a perfect choice.
You mentioned In earlier interviews that you are planning to train MMA with Lukasz Wos in Czestochowa. I know that there are a few Pudzian built fighters in his gym, don?t you think it?s a good idea to spar with them?
-Czestochowa is quite rich in MMA fighters. I know Lukasz and his training regimen suits me. There are indeed some heavy guys in his gym, some even bigger than Mariusz. There are definitely good fighters to spar with.
Your opponent declares in the interviews that wrestling will be his main weapon against you and he wants to finish you on the ground. Do you also plan to train mainly wrestling whereas your boxing will be just an addition.
-Not at all. Boxing will be the main area where I want to win this fight. As far as my ground training, I need to learn how to escape from the floor and not to get taken down. I won?t train techniques in which I?m the weakest, cause it?ll be a waste o time. I have to win using my attributes which are dynamic hands, cardio and ring experience.
Since you don?t put emphasis on training wrestling there is a huge possibility that the fight will look like this: Pudzian goes after you, takes you down and finishes you on the ground.
-It?s not like that. I need to train defensive elements, which will allow me to stop his shoot. What?s going to happen? What?s his going to do? Who knows? There is a possibility that I will put him to sleep with one punch or I can get knocked out. This is heavyweight. Mariusz weighs 140 kilograms, I?m 102 kilograms, any punch can end the fight. The fight itself will show what will happen. I have to be prepared as good as it is possible!
KSW Federation contracted you to a fight with Mariusz Pudzianowski. Are you aware that after you beat the World?s Strongest Man everyone will be talking about you not only in Poland, but all over the world.
-KSW Federation has done a great thing organizing this fight between me and Pudzianowski. I have to say that I?m really grateful to KSW guys for this. I know that it cost a lot of work to put this bout. I?m glad Mariusz has accepted the challenge. I?m sure our fight will be a great show. People want spectacles, our role is to become gladiators.
Many people call this fight a David vs. Goliath showdown. Do you agree with it?
-Not really. Mariusz is 2 centimeters taller than me, and a few kilograms heavier. However, the difference is not that huge to call it a David vs. Goliath battle. He obviously has great physical attributes, but I have experience in the ring. We both haven?t fought MMA yet, though. We are both making our debuts on the neutral ground.
Would you agree that the fight against Pudzianwoski is going to be the biggest fight in your professional career.
-Hmmm? It?s definitely going to be a big MMA fight. Is it going to be my biggest promotional achievement? I don?t think so, I?m not an anonymous person, nor is Mariusz. It?s not about us, it?s abut promoting MMA. I believe this fight will considerably raise the popularity of this sport in Poland.
You organize another charity football game in Czestochowa next Friday? Are you participating in it? Aren?t you afraid that you might reinjure your leg?
-I organize the charity match between boxers and speedway riders for the 8th time. Mariusz also took part in it two years ago. We help people who need it the most. This year it is a ten-year-old boy from Czestochowa, who had his leg amputated because of illness. I always played in the past, however this time, I?ll just do the honorary kick-off. I can?t put myself in danger of being injured again. I have to be healthy and prepared before the biggest fight of my life.
What can you say about your opponent?
-He is a big, strong dude. However, fighting is not only about physical strength, it is also technique, endurance and mental preparation. There a lot factors who make a good fighter. Strength is Mariusz?s biggest asset. I will be definitely faster. How will it end? I don?t know. I?ll do everything to have my hand raised after the battle, though.
What are your biggest assets?
-Speed, determination and endurance!
Finally, tell us why do you hate each other so much?
-Mariusz achieved great success as an athlete, but he changed after that. He is arrogant and cocky. I don?t like that and I want to teach him a lesson.
Marcin, thanks for your time
-My pleasure
Interview by Artur Przybysz
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