|
JEFF MONSON
The Snowman Heads for Anaheim
 Jeff "The Snowman" Monson
All photos copyright 2004 Zuffa LLC
Photography by Joshua Hedges Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, Jeff Monson now resides in Olympia, Washington, where he runs an American Top Team gym. Recently, at UFC 57, Jeff further added to his impressive MMA record of 22-5 when he defeated Branden Lee Hinkle in 4.35 of round one. Fighting as a heavyweight, Monson was listed as being 5’8", but says, "I’m 5’9". They robbed me on that one," laughs Jeff, who carries the nickname ‘Snowman.’ "At Abu Dhabi in 1999, I came out as an unknown and I had a Brazilian opponent in the first round, and I won. Then I had a tougher Brazilian, and I won. In the semis I had Jean-Jacques Machardo, and I won. At that point they called me The Snowball because I was big and white, and I was kinda rolling through the tournament – getting bigger like an avalanche. When I won the final match, they called me The Snowman and it stuck." That was Monson’s first Abu Dhabi Submission Grappling World Title. He later won the same title in 2005. Ironically, this feared MMA athlete was a psychologist before taking up the more lucrative occupation of a pro fighter. And it was while studying at college that Jeff first became involved in a fighting art. "I wrestled in college before going to graduate school where I helped out a little bit. That was in Minnesota, before going to Washington State, where I was looking for something to do. I was competitive, but I took a couple of years where I wasn’t competing very much. That fire was still burning to compete, so I got hold of Matt Hume and AMC. They were doing pankration and that’s kinda what there was to do in the area, so…" Jeff is now primarily a BJJ man, but has a 2-0 pro-boxing record. And as a 5’9" heavyweight, Jeff generally faces taller training partners and opponents than himself. But he employs strategy to overcome the height discrepancy. "If you set out to box with them you’re going to get beat, because they have that reach. You’ve gotta get in where you can throw, and then get outside of their range. You have to be good at closing the distance and getting out." Monson says he was happy with his performance against Branden Lee Hinkle at UFC 57, however he would have liked the bout to have gone more according to his game plan. "It was all right. I didn’t want to be on the bottom in that fight, but it went all right. It wasn’t tailor made or anything. I can handle myself on the bottom, but I’m not going to win a fight by submission from down there. I didn’t really want to be there, but I’m glad I won." With Branden Lee Hinkle coming off a big win against renowned street fighter, Sean Gannon, at UFC 55, Monson expected Hinkle to be a hard adversary at UFC 57. "I knew he was a tough guy…a good wrestler…He came from Coleman’s camp, so I knew he was real tough. And I knew he was going to come out hard, throw punches and wrestle. He felt like I expected." And at 4.35 into round one, Monson was able to subdue Hinkle and put him to sleep with a choke while pinning Branden in the six o’clock position.
Jeff, what do you call the hold you used to finish Branden: a north-south choke? "I call it the 69-choke." You’re not setting me up here, are you, Jeff? "No, No", laughs Monson. You’ve won your last 14 matches. Do you have your sights set on a UFC belt? "If this fight goes all right with Marcio Cruz, then I think I should be in line for it. That’s what the goal is right now. The rumour is: ‘Win this fight and you’ll have a shot.’ He’s just another guy in the way of that." When are you fighting Cruz? "April 15, UFC 59, California." You lost by decision to Forrest Griffin (June 29, 2002) and Chuck Liddell (December 16, 2000). Would you like to drop back down to light heavyweight and pay them another visit? "No, only if they came up to heavyweight. I don’t have any revenge matches I want to do, or anything like that - I just want to win a title. And I’ll have my best performance as a heavyweight, so if one of those guys comes up to heavyweight and wants to fight me on my way to the title – or if I have the title – then I’ll definitely welcome it." Do you do a lot of weights? "Off season I do more, but come fight time, I do every other day. I do a lot of powerlifting-type movements, plyometrics and cleans – not bodybuilding. The jerk part of the clean-and-jerk movement I perform separately." How long have you been with American Top Team (ATT)? "Four-and-a-half years. Dennis Hallman and I opened an ATT in Olympia, Washington, but we’ve closed for the moment and will be reopening in June. We purchased some land and we’re building a better gym, which is going to be open to the public." How can people interested in training at your gym get details? "They can go to www.jeffmonson.net or email me at anarchymma@yahoo.com." Jeff, is there anything you’d like to add? "I’d like to say thanks to American Top Team, all my friends in England, the Trojan Free-Fighters, and the fans: They really do make the sport. The fans in England, Ireland, and in the States have helped me out a lot. And I appreciate their emails as well – the good-lucks and congratulations – I appreciate all that kind of stuff, and all the support." Sponsors? "American Top Team, sprawl.tv, gameness.net, onthemat.com, into combat, and AKpress." For more on Jeff Monson: www.jeffmonson.net For more on UFC 59: www.ufc.tv.
JEFF
MONSON Sixteen Straight Victories Lead to Title Shot
©
Marc Wickert All
photos copyright 2004 Zuffa LLC On
November 18, UFC will be hosting two huge title matches: Sylvia vs. Monson
(Heavyweight Championship), and Hughes vs. St.Pierre (Welterweight
Championship). But
right now Jeff Monson is sitting down resting after another big workout,
which involved some conditioning and wrestling at Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Known as an athlete who is always tough on himself, ‘The Snowman’
concedes he was happy with his recent victory over Anthony Perosh at UFC 61:
“Yeah, but right now I’m focusing on this match coming up,” says
Monson. Readers
will remember when we last talked to Jeff he was getting ready to open an
American Top Team gym in Olympia, Washington with fellow MMA star Dennis
Hallman. However, with Jeff’s upcoming title shot, and Dennis recently
joining the IFL Dragon team, things have been a little slow with work at
their gym. “Dennis
is mainly looking after that right now. We have a small group of people
training there while we’re waiting for everything to be completed on the
building and car park. It’s a lot of work with business and training.
We’ll just have to see how things turn out.” So for now, Monson is totally focusing on the UFC belt. When Tim and Jeff do face off at UFC 65: Bad Intentions, there is going to be a wealth of experience on display with Monson and Sylvia boasting impressive MMA records of 24-5 and 24-2 respectively. And while Tim is the defending UFC Heavyweight Champion, Jeff has two Abu Dhabi Heavyweight Championships notched on his BJJ brown belt, and on November 18 he’ll be coming strictly for business.
Jeff, you’ve won your last 16 fights. Has it been a long road to your UFC title challenge? “It
has – with all
the hard work and getting through injuries.” People
have been stressing the height difference between you (5'9") and Tim
Sylvia (6'8") – saying it’s a great advantage for him. But Tim is
used to fighting opponents closer to his own height, whereas you’re used
to facing taller competitors. Could this then be an advantage to you because
it’s familiar territory for you? “Well,
there are advantages and disadvantages for both of us. He’s probably
stronger standing and I’m probably stronger on the ground, but then we
haven’t seen a lot of his ground game.” How
is your boxing going? “It’s
going fine: I’m training with Howard Davis, Jr (gold medallist from the
1976 Olympics).” You delivered some powerful knees against Anthony Perosh. Will knees be one of your preferred striking weapons against Tim? “Sometimes
it’s hard to deliver good knee strikes, but if the opportunity presents
itself – definitely.” You said before, when taking on a taller opponent: ‘You’ve gotta get in there, where you can throw, and then get outside their range.’ Can you employ that strategy against Tim? “I’ll
have to. If I stand outside where I can’t strike him, I’m not going to
win the match. I have to be in a position where I can use my strikes as
well. Outside, I can’t strike him, but he can strike me, so…” You always seem so cool in the Octagon, and you’re a very explosive fighter. Does one quality lend itself to the other? Do you have to be calm rather than tense in order to be explosive? “That works best for me; I think every fighter is a little different. I’m at my best when I’m calm. Some guys like getting all hyped up, go out there all jacked up and that, but I’m better when I’m calm.”
As well as being about Monson vs. Sylvia, is this match also about American Top Team vs. Team Miletich? “Well,
people can bill it as that: He comes from a really good team; I come from a
really good team… There’s no disputing that they have some of the best
fighters in the world over there – they have two champs. We’re both from
good teams and I don’t know that my winning or his winning will prove
which camp is better. “It’s
just me against Sylvia, and I know he’s going to come prepared because he
has good guys training him; and I’m going to come prepared because I have
good guys training me; so we’ll just have to see who can do their game
better.” How
do you see the Matt Hughes vs. Georges St. Pierre fight going? “Man,
that’s really tight. I don’t know… Technically, I think St. Pierre is
better, but Hughes finds a way to win every time, doesn’t he? So, I
don’t want to make a prediction on that fight because it’s too difficult
to call. I don’t know who’s going to win that fight… Hughes is strong,
mentally, and he is the champ. I’d never bet against the champ, at this
point. I have no reason to.” You were calling for a heavyweight title-shot when Andre Arlovski and Tim Sylvia were deciding who would have the belt. Did it matter to you which one of them you were going to challenge? “No
- it really didn’t, to be honest with you. Tim proved to everybody that he
was definitely the champion after defeating Andrei the last two times. And I
want to beat the best heavyweight there is. I don’t want it to be a fluke
when I win.” Jeff,
is there anything you’d like to add? “I’d
like to thank my family and friends, and everyone at American Top Team who
stood by me when I lost some fights a few years ago. Others gave up on me,
but the people at ATT still believed in me and helped me along. “This
is an individual sport, but there’s no way I could have come this far
without the support of American Top Team, and all the fans.” Your
sponsors? “American Top Team, Nogi, IHP, gameness.com, onthemat, AK press.”
For
more on Jeff Monson: www.jeffmonson.net For
more on UFC 65: www.ufc.tv.
JEFF
MONSON The Universal Warrior
©
Marc Wickert May
2, 2008, It’s 9.30 Friday evening in England, and Jeff Monson has just finished another workout in preparation for an upcoming bout. “I fight Josh Barnett in Japan on May 18, so I am fight-training: twice a week lifting, and sparring and grappling,” says Monson. Although Olympia, Washington, is home for Jeff, he regularly travels to the UK and other parts of the world for training, and he is now back in England after competing in France. However ‘The Snowman’ says he has no immediate plans to relocate to Britain. “Not on a permanent basis. I’m not sure where I want to live, to be honest – maybe in Central America. I competed against Vincent Parisi in Paris at a grappling event and also had my son over and showed him the sites for a few days.” When in the States, Jeff still trains at American Top Team in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and operates a small gym with Dennis Hallman. In England, he trains at the Red Corner Gym in Coventry, and with Braulio ‘Carcara’ Estima at Steve B’s gym. Known as one of MMA’s most explosive fighters, Monson attributes his dynamic abilities to his training in plyometrics, and to his ability to remain cool under pressure, which allows his muscles to relax before exploding into action. It was back in September 2000, at UFC 27: Ultimate Bad Boyz, that Jeff made his Octagon debut by defeating Tim Lajcik. Prior to his title challenge against Tim Sylvia, Monson submitted Brandon Lee Hinkle with a north/south choke at UFC 57, and won by split decision over Marcio Cruz at UFC 59, before stopping Anthony Perosh via a TKO at UFC 61. The Snowman’s last Octagon appearance was against Tim Sylvia at UFC 65: Bad Intentions on November 18, 2006. And although the fight was awarded to Tim after going the distance of five 5-minute rounds, Jeff won his 16 previous bouts and showed that he was the real deal. Despite his absence from the Octagon since late 2006, international interest in this outstanding warrior remains incredibly high.
In
the middle of 2007, Monson suffered a separated clavicle, which he says is
okay now, and he’s back chalking up more victories. “I did the
Arnold’s and super matches in Paris and London, winning them.” One aspect of mixed martial arts that separates it from many other sports, such as boxing, is that the fans realize MMA stars are real people. Through the internet, public appearances and seminars, MMA supporters can meet and learn from their heroes. Rather than acting like rock gods, ultimate fighters are accessible to the public
At www.jeffsnowmanmonson.com a message reads: “On this site you can read about Jeff, get inside Jeff's mind in his personal blog, see his schedule, find a seminar near you where he is appearing, and even shoot Jeff an e-mail. And you can rest assured that Jeff will get your e-mail. He might not be able to answer it immediately, but he will get to it.” And
on June 17, 2008, Jeff will be conducting a seminar in Sarasota, Florida.
“The seminar is for everyone: whether experienced or a beginner, you will
get something from it, for sure. I will focus on the grappling techniques I
use, but I will also include some MMA as well.” Jeff,
you enjoy reading. Do you have a favorite book category? “I
enjoy history and non-fiction books – usually of political nature.” I believe you’re fighting Kevin Randleman in June. Is that confirmed? And what do you expect from Kevin? “Yes,
I am fighting on June 21 in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is obviously a
great wrestler and he always comes in shape.” Will
it be a ground game? “I
think, eventually, that fight will end up on the ground.” Are we likely to see you fighting in the Octagon again? “I
have a few fights coming up first, but I would like to be in the UFC
again.” How would you go against Antonio ‘Minotauro’ Noguiera? “I’d
be in shape for starters: The guy is a machine.” What about yourself against Heath Herring, Randy Couture or Fedor? “I
would like to fight Fedor, of course, but I don’t know if it will
happen.” What else is on the horizon for Jeff Monson? “I
want to be active fighting and grappling at the moment. I haven’t reached
as good as I want to be, so I will continue to strive for that.” Jeff, is there anything you’d like to add? “I
appreciate all the support from my team, family, and fans.” Your sponsors? “ATT, Dahui, Headblade, Scrapwear, IHP, gameness.com, onthemat, and AKPress.
For
more on Jeff Monson: www.jeffsnowmanmonson.com. For more info on Jeff’s upcoming seminar: 941-539-3884. News
Just In: Jeff
Monson will be fighting Mike Russow on June 14, 2008, in the Sears Centre,
Chicago at Adrenaline MMA. For more details see NEWS at
www.knucklepit.com. “I
expect Mike to be an extremely tough opponent who only lacks the exposure he
deserves. He's a great wrestler and athlete, and I need to be in good
fitness for the fight. I am still fighting Kevin Randleman and don't expect
reasons not to be able to fight. Most injuries actually happen in practice,
not during the actual fights,” says Monson.
|
