|
ELVIS SINOSIC Ready for ADCC – and More
© Marc Wickert Born in Canberra, Australia, Elvis Sinosic was
the first of only two Australians to have competed in a UFC tournament. Probably a lot of the martial artists around my
age had some inspiration from him. I actually started in judo, which has
nothing to do with Bruce Lee, but at nine years of age, it was a martial
art and that's all that mattered to me then. It was at my local primary
school, and my parents were able to drop me off for classes," says
Sinosic.
The caliber of athletes Elvis has
faced over the years is a testimonial to his fighting ability, and reads
like a 'who's who' of Mixed Martial Artists. The list includes such
well-respected names as Tito Ortiz, Evan Tanner, Frank Shamrock, Jeremy
Horn, Dave Beneteau, and Renato Babalu.
ELVIS SINOSIC
Part 2
It Won’t Be Going to the
Decision
All photos copyright 2004 Zuffa LLC
Photography by Joshua Hedges At the time of this interview, it’s one week before Elvis Sinosic fights Alessio Sakara at UFC 57. Elvis is driving home after taking the last class in his Sydney gym, before packing for his flight to Las Vegas. To some it may seem odd that he spends valuable time instructing students, just a week before his own UFC fight. But to Elvis, it’s more a case of "the show must go on." "When you run your own business, there’s a certain amount you can get other people to cover, but there are certain things you have to have responsibility for. We’re opening up a second school in Liverpool, Sydney, on the day I fly out. We’ve got to get that set up and organised as well as keeping our original school running and keep the standard up," says Sinosic. "It’s just one of those things when you run your own business: You have responsibilities. Mine is to look after my students, so I do my best to do that. I teach mainly the BJJ, kickboxing and MMA. I’ve got to look after myself and my own training, but I can’t do that at the compromise of my students." Leading up to Elvis’s return to the Octagon, the mood amongst his students is positive: "They’re all very supportive and behind me…They want me to do well. They’re all excited and glad to see me back in the UFC, and always excited to see me fight." Elvis and Alessio were both on the card at UFC 55: Sinosic fought Forrest Griffin, and Sakara locked horns with Ron Faircloth. Sakara’s fight was declared a "no contest" after he buckled over from a kick to the groin, and was unable to regroup for the bout. Elvis says he did see some of Alessio’s fight on the night. "I only saw bits of it. I was out the back concentrating on getting ready for what I had coming up (against Forrest). I’ve seen highlights of other matches Alessio’s done, but I haven’t actually seen the whole of his last match." When asked if he learnt any kicking techniques from Ron Faircloth, Sinosic replies: "Well, I already know to kick low, and not high. So that just reinforces it." Elvis sees his battle with Alessio as a great opportunity to boost his MMA career and return to the ‘Superbowl of Mixed Martal Arts.’ "I’m just happy to be fighting. Alessio is a quality opponent, so I’m not disappointed to be fighting him. I’ve got to fight my way back up and he’s a great opponent to do that." Elvis, has there been much interest from Australian mainstream media about your competing at the biggest UFC in history? "No, surprisingly. I have a friend who is a journalist and he sent out a few feelers, trying to get interest from some of the papers, but the problem is, they list it all under martial arts. And because there are so many different martial arts and world championships, and so many different championships and events – to them it’s all the same and confusing for them. At the moment it’s all cricket season and tennis, and they said their priority is these mainstream sports. "They did pass on and recommend to a couple of other journalists who feature some of the more fringe sports, and it’s something that may be followed up when I get back. But at this stage I haven’t received much attention from mainstream media, regarding my competing at this UFC."
So you don’t expect to be blinded by the flashlights at Sydney airport? "Thanks for reminding me. I will bring a pair of sunglasses – just in case." What will you be doing in Las Vegas during the days leading up to your fight? "Probably gambling. No, seriously, in the lead up to the fight, I’ll rest and relax. I’ll probably spend a lot of time in my hotel room just chilling, going out for meals…Every evening around fight time, to help myself acclimatise, I’ll be doing training sessions. They will be more technique/cardio-type sessions to ensure I keep my cardio up, that I get a good sweat, and keep my body ready for fight time. "I’ll also have press conferences and interviews, photo shoots and other requirements for the commission and UFC. It will just be getting those things in and trying to rest around them." You were in incredible shape for UFC 55. You must have been happy with your fitness. "Actually, 55 was probably the best shape I’ve been in, and I felt really good. I felt fit and I felt strong and confident going in. I put up a great match, and I plan to do the same this time – except the difference will be that I plan to come out on top." As you say, the last one was an unfinished story. That won’t happen this time, will it? "No, absolutely. I plan to go out and give 100%, and go for the finish. I have no doubt my opponent plans to do the same thing. When you’re both going out for the finish, it happens. Sometimes that’s the difference between the fighter who just wants the win and the fighter who wants to finish the match. My mentality has always been that I want to end the match. I don’t want it to go to the decision." Against Alessio, you will have a three-inch height and a four-inch reach advantage. Will that be a big factor? "Of course it will be a factor. I don’t think it will be a massive factor. If you’ve got good timing, distancing and footwork, he can compensate for reach. And I have no doubt…He’s an experienced striker, so I’m sure he’s going to be training with guys with reach. And I expect him to be able to deal with that, even though I will use it to my advantage as much as possible: I do realise he will be compensating for that and doing his best to work around it." Alessio has a boxing background. Will you be happy to test his toe-to-toe skills? "I’m not going to be silly. I’m not a boxer and I’m not going to box with him. But I’m also not afraid to stand with him. There’s a difference: I’m a mixed martial artist with kickboxing experience. So I’ll use my hands, but I’ll also incorporate my kicks, knees, my clinches, and elbows. But I’m not going to be crazy and turn it into a boxing match. However, it doesn’t mean I’m going to be afraid to stand with him and bang away." How do you think your ground game will compare? "I believe I should have the superior ground game – I’ve been grappling a lot longer. I have a lot more experience grappling. And I have no doubt he’ll have improved his, and he’s working on it, and he wants a strong ground game. But hopefully that will work in my favour, because if he wants to engage with me on the ground and test it out, I’ll be more than happy to show him how to do it." How are you going to win this fight? "With confidence, with aggression…And honestly, I have the ability to end it standing or on the ground. I’ll let that be decided when it happens. But you can be guaranteed I’ll be looking for the finish – whether it’s the submission or the knockout." What’s your tip for Liddell vs Couture? "Liddell has been going from strength to strength, lately. He’s been coming out more aggressive. And I feel when he’s more aggressive, he’s more of a danger. He’s definitely going to be up there. Randy’s a consummate professional…He comes out with some of the best game plans. He always comes out prepared. You know he’s going to go hard for the full distance. "I think if Randy can impose his game plan, he will win the match. I think if Chuck can get into Randy’s head and get some emotion happening - like he did in the last match, Chuck will win it. I think a slight edge will probably go to Randy, just because I thought, in his first win, it happened because he took control of the match, and he fought the match where he wanted it. Whereas, in the second match, he let the emotion get to him. And Chuck took advantage of that. "I think this time, Randy knows that. And he’s going to go back to taking control and dominating the match. It just comes down to whether he can do that. Even though it’s very close, I think a marginal edge to Randy." Elvis, is there anything you’d like to add? "I always like to thank my training partners, my business partner – Anthony Perosh, and my students who are always behind me." Your sponsors? "Fairtex kickboxing equipment, Musashi supplements, Atama kimonos, Sports Oxyshot, and Interact health & fitness."
For more on Elvis Sinosic: www.spma.net.au For more on UFC 57: www.ufc.tv
ELVIS
SINOSIC Ready to Rock’n’Rumble Cage Rage
©
Marc Wickert photos
© Elvis Sinosic It’s
10pm and Elvis ‘The King of Rock’n’Rumble’ Sinosic has just
arrived home from taking a class at one of the two gyms he operates with
fellow UFC fighter Anthony Perosh. Fuelled
by the success of their first Sinosic-Perosh Martial Arts (SPMA) gym in
Concord, Elvis and Anthony decided to open a second Sydney SPMA gym in
Liverpool, ten months ago. And Sinosic reports that both academies are
receiving a healthy response from the public. “Concord
is doing fantastically, and the new Liverpool gym has kicked in over the
last few months; we’re really happy with the way it’s heading also.
What works well for us is word of mouth – our reputation, how we run
our classes…” says Sinosic. “Of
course, when you move into a new area, it takes a little time to develop
that reputation and for people to find out about us. But the locals know
about us now, and word has started to get around.” Elvis
and Anthony divide their time equally between the two gyms, so it’s
rare not to catch one of them instructing or training for an upcoming
fight at either of their centers. “Between
us we teach most of the classes at both gyms. At Liverpool we also have
one of our senior students, John Breakspear, teaching jiu jitsu classes
on the nights when we’re not there. We also have Hape Ngaronoa who
takes our kickboxing classes pretty much every night there. Hape used to
be Mark Hunt’s kickboxing coach before he joined with us.” Elvis,
how did you first cross paths with Anthony Perosh? “Anthony
and I met at the start of ’96 training at Anthony Lange’s, out at
Manly. Anthony had been doing jiu jitsu once a week, attending John Will
seminars and training with Paul Zadro, before deciding to drive out to
Manly. And I’d just started in ’95 at Anthony Lange’s – I’d
moved up from Canberra to Sydney. Anthony Perosh and I were about the
same height and weight, so we became training partners and friends.” You
were the first Aussie to compete in UFC. Later Chris Haseman and Anthony
Perosh fought in the Octagon. Of the three, you and Anthony both
instruct at SPMA. And now you guys are producing a team of top-class
fighters. How did your students go at the latest King of the Cage? “Four SPMA students fought in MMA matches at the King of the Cage event at Penrith Panthers on Friday, September 29th, and they all won their matches. Angus Benson and Shane Nix won by strikes from the mount, Kyle Madden won by rear naked choke and Mike Abela won by arm bar. “It
was fantastic to see: They’d put in the hard work, put in the
performance, and the result came out at the end. Anthony and I are very
proud of our students and we’re really starting to focus on our MMA
program. We’ve always had MMA classes, but it’s now transitioning to
the stage where we’re also going to have an MMA program to develop
fighters a little bit more. “We’ll be looking at their training outside of classes, their diet, how they’re preparing and making weight… We’ll be getting a lot more involved – not just training and fighting.”
With
King of the Cage and Warriors’ Realm being two of the bigger MMA
events regularly held in Australia, how would you rate the standard of
MMA Down Under? “We
have a very broad range: We have guys with very little experience and
skill, but they have a lot of heart and tenacity and are stepping in
early to have a go. And it’s great to see those guys working on it.
Then we go all the way up to the top guys, such as myself, Anthony
Perosh, George Sotiropoulos, Hector Lombard… guys who are able to
compete with the best in the world. “So
we’ve got pretty much the full spectrum of competitors in MMA.
Hopefully, with time, the guys who are just starting out, and don’t
have the experience or the skills, will continue to train and stay with
it, until one day they will reach the level the top guys are at now.” And
Australia does have a strong number of guys at the top international
level? “Oh,
absolutely. Some guys are competitive with the best in the world. I’m
not saying that we can’t all improve and push the standard higher, but
already we have guys like George and Hector who have competed in Japan;
and Anthony and I who have competed in the US and Japan, and myself
shortly in London… “Then
we have guys like Kyle Noke, Adrian Pang, JJ "Dinosaur" Sidic,
who haven’t fought overseas yet, but are still competing with
international opponents who are being brought over for him. Danny
Higgins has competed in the US… So we definitely have the standard to
compete with the best guys in the world.” How
did you come to be on the card at Cage Rage 19? “Basically
I was looking to get some more experience overseas: I know if I want to
continue in the big shows, such as UFC or PRIDE, I’ve really got to
get back into the winning ways. I have to fight some international shows
and opponents. Recently I fought in Xplosion: They brought me over a
PRIDE veteran, Katsuhisha "Shamoji" Fuji, who I defeated in
the first round, which was fantastic for me. “And
I want to build on top of that and stay active, because a lot of times
I’ve fought and done well, but then ‘due to circumstances’; I
haven’t gotten back into the ring. Then by the time I have returned,
I’ve been a little rusty or something has happened, and I haven’t
built on the momentum. “So I contacted Cage Rage to see if they were interested in getting me over there to fight. They were, and they organized the match with Mark ‘The Beast’ Epstein at Cage RAGE 19: Fearless, which fit perfectly and gave me time to prepare so I could be in the best condition.”
Now
that you’ve mentioned some of the best guys we have in Oz, do you
think an Aussie vs. Great Britain Cage Rage Challenge could be an
interesting prospect down the track? “Absolutely.
You know, Cage Rage is really starting to grow. And at the moment their
league is probably a little stronger than ours, because they’re
getting a few more top international guys, as they’re able to draw on
the European talent as well, which is helping them up. “But
with our circuit, such as Warriors’ Realm, XFC, King of the Cage,
Xplosion… our shows are now starting to build momentum here, and
hopefully we’ll be able to bring out more fighters and our standard
will further build up. “Yeah, I think it would be great down the track to do maybe an Ashes MMA tour: Australia vs. England – one year here, one year there. I think it would be a great opportunity.”
Have
you seen footage of any of Mark Epstein’s fights? “I
have seen one of his fights, but I do plan to check out more of his
footage.” How
is your training going for the fight? “Good;
I’m training very hard, doing a lot of strength conditioning,
endurance, cardio work, pad work, wrestling… I’m on top of it and
feeling really good. I’m six weeks out and I already feel fit and
strong, and I know that in six weeks I’m just going to be a machine.
So I’m really looking forward to it.” So
you’re feeling confident of a victory? “Yes,
I’m coming off a victory, and I plan to roll into another one right
after it. I’m coming to win!” Elvis,
is there anything you’d like to add? “I
want to thank my training partner Anthony; my kickboxing coach Hape;
Justin my fitness coach; all my students for supporting me; and Gary
Edwards for helping me with my kickboxing and fitness.” Your
sponsors? “Fairtex
kickboxing equipment, Musashi supplements, Atama kimonos, and Interact
Health and Fitness.”
For more on Elvis Sinosic: www.spma.net.au and www.elvissinosic.com.For more on Cage Rage 19: www.cagerage.tv.
|
