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PAT BENNETT “I Turn It On Like Donkey Kong!”
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Marc Wickert June 3, 2011 Special thanks to Eric Nicholl
One of the most highly anticipated battles in MMA this year will be the clash between heavyweight freight trains Pat Bennett and Guram Gugenishvili. Guram is M-1’s reigning heavyweight titleholder and Pat is eager to snatch the belt when they meet on US soil on July 8.
Both men possess strong wrestling backgrounds, but both also have heavy hands and one-punch knockout power. Pat is a three-time All American wrestler and Guram has a freestyle wrestling base with dangerous combat sambo skills in his arsenal.
Guram boasts an 11-0 MMA record and tends to fight a methodical game, whereas Pat sports a career record of 7-2 (five first-round TKOs) and often comes out barnstorming in a most unpredictable manner. Bennett will have the hometown advantage.
Hopefully, Don Carlo-Clauss won’t be organizing the ring announcer’s microphone for this event (see http://www.bombsquadmma.com).
Knucklepit checked in with Pat Bennett recently to see how his preparations were going for the M-1Heavyweight Challenge. Pat, what training have you done today? My training for this camp has been switched up a little bit, I’ve been doing a lot of training with my freestyle coaches Gene Mills and Tim Boda, along with my new Muay Thai coach Primo, and of course all the guys at Team Bombsquad. The “Guram Is Coming” campaign is drawing a lot of attention. Does that raise the stakes for you to win your upcoming title bout? Raise the stakes? I wouldn’t say that the actual campaign raises the stakes; it’s a title fight so the stakes are already high regardless of how the fight is promoted. You bulldozed Nick Smiley with your wild and unpredictable style of fighting. Do you think you may be able to upset Guram in a similar fashion? We will have to see. My good guess is that there will be fireworks. With that being said, I’m completely prepared to go five rounds.
You told M-1Global: “I’m a dominant wrestler and seemed to have gotten away from what I do best.” Do you expect your bout with Guram to go straight to the ground? I’m not sticking to one game plan or another; however I feel that my wrestling will have an impact in this title fight. Are we still likely to see you let your overhand right off the leash against Guram? You will have to watch. Are you training exclusively at Team Bombsquad for July 8? No, like I said, I have an arsenal of coaches for this one, so I am working with the best in each area, but I am still doing the majority of my training with Bombsquad. Who are you training with, and what areas of your game are they assisting you with? Gene Mills/Tim Boda for wrestling – both are world class wrestlers and have competed on the biggest stages. Primo for Muay Thai, Rene Nazarie for BJJ – four times world champ, and then of course the MMA God himself, Ryan Ciotoli, and a guy who goes by the name of Jack "The Kid" Bennett; he specializes in Street Fighting and is 2-8 and an amateur. M-1 Global is “The Buzz” at the moment among MMA fans, and the organization is growing so rapidly worldwide. Is it exciting to be competing in the M-1 Challenges? Absolutely. It’s always great fighting with M-1. What are the main differences between the fighting styles of the East Europeans and fighters based in the US? Not really sure...I think US fighters are just better. You always seem so relaxed and easy going outside the ring. What happens when you step inside the ring? I turn it on like Donkey Kong! Are you looking forward to fighting in front of a home crowd? Yes, of course, it’s been a while. What do you think Guram’s strengths are? Grappling and wrestling, and I wouldn't be surprised to see some striking skills from him this time out. What are your strengths? I’ve got lots! Pat, is there anything you’d like to add? I would just like to say thanks to my family and friends for supporting me, and a big thanks to my girl for putting up with this madness!
For more on Pat Bennett: www.m-1global.com. For Knucklepit’s interview with Guram Gugenishvili: http://www.knucklepit.com/mixed-martial-arts-guram_gugenishvili.htm.
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